Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (MS)
Bengaluru, Feb 23: In an innovative attempt to smuggle drugs, traffickers used invitation cards to conceal contraband substances that were to be sent abroad. However, timely intervention and inspection by the customs officials at Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) here thwarted the attempt.
The offcials seized drugs worth Rs 5 crore concealed in 43 invitation cards of a fake wedding that were to be sent to Australia.
Customs officials of KIA seized 'ephedrine', a kind of raw material that is used in the manufacture of drugs. This is the second such instance in less than 10 days at KIA. The total worth of both the consignments is around Rs 10 crore.
A cargo containing wedding sarees and invitation cards had arrived at the air cargo complex of KIA from Madurai. When the parcel was scanned, some suspicious element was noticed. When the invitation cards were weighed, their weight was found to be more than usual. When the officials thoroughly inspected the invitation cards, they were shocked to find ephedrine weighing 60 to 120 gram neatly placed on both sides of the cards in plastic covers. This was found in 43 invitation cards.
Ephedrine is used locally in medicines for cough. However, people who deal in drugs mix this with ganja, Afeem and other hallucinating drugs and sell them for higher potency.
Customs officials of KIA had busted the same racket on February 18 too. In that case five kg of ephedrine was concealed in plastic bobbins. Customs officials are of the opinion that the same group or person is behind both the cases.