States »SoutPosted at: Apr 23 2021 6:51PM Aeronautical engineer arrested, 46.8 kg Khat leaves worth Rs.1.17 cr from Kenya seized at FPO
Chennai, Apr 23 (UNI) A 27-year-old aeronautical engineer, working
in a city-based IT firm, was arrested for smuggling narcotics drugs
from Africa.
A release from the office of the Airport Commissioner of Customs today
said based on information that some narcotics drugs was likely to be
smuggled through postal parcels arriving from Africa, five parcels which
had arrived from Nairobi in Kenya were detained at Foreign Post Office
(FPO).
The first parcel was declared to contain ‘Flower Vases’. On opening
the parcel, 11 wooden vases wrapped in white foam sheet were found
inside.
On close examination each vase was found to be sealed. On cut opening
the top a pink poly bag was found inside in which Khat leaves were
concealed.
The top of all eleven vases were cut open and khat leaves were recovered
from all.
The other four parcels were declared to contain ‘Rosemary’ and ‘Dried
spices’. On opening the parcels a silver opaque poly bag was found
inside in which five pink poly bags containing dried leaves suspected
to be Khat leaves were concealed.
In all 46.8 kgs of Khat leaves worth Rs.1.17 crore were recovered and
seized under the NDPS Act-1985.
An aeronautical engineer working in a city based IT company has been
arrested.
Khat (Cathaedulis) also known as Miraa is a stimulant drug and is
prohibited under the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances
(NDPS) Act.
Khat is an evergreen shrub mainly cultivated in East Africa and South
Yemen. It contains alkaloids cathin one and Cathine, amphetamine like
stimulants, which cause euphoria.
Khat is mainly chewed for its soporific effect, but some boil it in water
and drink it like tea and has a dependence producing ability.
Earlier in March 2020, 15.6 kg Khat leaves worth Rs 40 lakhs, which
had arrived from Addis Ababa Ethiopia, were seized at FPO Chennai.
Further investigation is under progress.
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