HYDERABAD: In a major catch, as many as 2300 tablets of Methaqualone, a psychotropic drug, was seized by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) in Hyderabad on Friday. The contraband tablets were concealed in the waistbands of eight pants and was being sent to Kuwait, as an air cargo consignment, said officials.
On specific intelligence that certain cargo booked by a courier company to Kuwait contained contraband material, the officials of DRI, Hyderabad Zone, inspected the courtier company on Friday to verify the cargo. The officials found eight pants in the cargo, in which ‘red-colored’ tablets of Methaqualone were found.
DRI additional director general MK Singh said the cargo was packed in a carton, which contained six jeans pants, one corduroy pant and one half pant of different colors. When stitches of the waistband were removed, ‘red-colored’ tablets having ‘225’ marks on one side of each tablet.
“When tested with the kit, the tablets tested positive for Methaqualone. A total of 2,300 tablets weighing 860 gm were found. They are estimated to be valued about Rs 9.2 lakh. The consignee’s name and address was indicated as Mohammed Rafi of Proddutur in Kadapa district of Andhra Pradesh,” said the additional DG, adding that Methaqualone is a psychotropic drug prohibited under Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act.
”The drug was to be exported out of the country as a consignment. Efforts are on to locate the consignee and further investigation in the case is in progress,” he added.