Chennai air customs busts drug smuggling gang

CHENNAI: Customs officials in Chennai busted a gang involved in smuggling pseudoephedrine (a narcotic substance) to Australia through the air route. They seized pseudoephedrine worth Rs 30 lakh. Pseudoephedrine is a sought-after chemical precursor in the illicit manufacture of methamphetamine, a popular party drug.
Customs officials said they checked a parcel that was declared to contain spices powder and others. On examination, branded masala packets of 50 and 100 grams were found among other grocery items. When checked, some chilli powder and sambhar powder packets were found to be tampered with. A plastic pouch containing white crystalline powder was found concealed inside.
A total of 37 plastic pouches were recovered from inside the spice packets. The powder tested positive for Pseudoephedrine. Total 3 kg of pseudoephedrine worth Rs 30 lakh was recovered and seized under Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985.
Customs officials said the parcel was booked in the name of a Theni-based person and destined to Auburn, New South Wales, Australia.
When searched, it was found that Sathik, 37, of Chennai, who is mastermind in this smuggling activity, had got the order of three kg of pseudoephedrine powder from his buyer in Australia. He purchased the powder from a Bengaluru-based person and gave the same to his partner who is based in Thanjavur with instructions to conceal the same in spice powder packets and send to an Australian address given by him.
His partner took help of one Khan, 30, of Chennai for concealing the powder in spice powder packets. Antony, 41, of Pudukottai came to Chennai and took the delivery of parcel from Khan. He booked the same to Australia through a Chennai-based courier company in the name of his friend, Selvam of Theni, by misusing his Aadhar card.
All four who are involved in smuggling activity were arrested under the NDPS Act.