CHENNAI: Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) sleuths on Tuesday seized at the Chennai port 33.5 kg of ketamine concealed in export consignments to Malaysia and arrested two men. The drug was said to be worth Rs 3.35 crore. DRI officials, on a tip-off, zeroed in on a consignment which contained, according to the documents with customs officials, hair dyes, cotton dress material, sarees, baby shirts, gift articles and fancy items totally weighting 3,481 kg in 65 cartons.
After a thorough search, DRI men found 33.5 kg of ketamine concealed in hair dye packets. Later, after a probe, they arrested Swaminathan alias Salam of Thuvarankurichi in Tiruchi and Khader of Mannady, Chennai. The latter, in his confession statement, allegedly said he and his partner had been smuggling ketamine through hair dyes packets to Malaysia.
After a thorough search, DRI men found 33.5 kg of ketamine concealed in hair dye packets. Later, after a probe, they arrested Swaminathan alias Salam of Thuvarankurichi in Tiruchi and Khader of Mannady, Chennai. The latter, in his confession statement, allegedly said he and his partner had been smuggling ketamine through hair dyes packets to Malaysia.
"Actual exporters don't know what is finally sent in the consignment. The culprits packed the ketamine in 3000 small packets and mixed it with hair dye packets," DRI additional director-general (Chennai) C Rajan told the Times of India.
