- Confiscated goods weighing 3 kg worth Rs 30 Lakh – 4 arrested
Chennai Air Customs is once again in limelight for curbing illegal smuggling activities. Based on intelligence input, customs officials intercepted a courier parcel at Air Courier Terminal. The parcel was suspected to contain narcotics substance. The courier destined for Australia.
The parcel was declared to contain (Masala) spices powder etc. On examining thoroughly, branded masala packets of 50 and 100 grams were found inside among other grocery items. On closer look some chili powder and Sambhar powder packets were found to be tempered with.On opening the packet, a plastic pouch containing white crystalline powder was found concealed inside. After doing a chemical test on the powder, it tested positive for Pseudoephedrine.
The parcel has 37 plastic pouches which contain illegal drugs. These packets were recovered from inside the spice packets. In totality approximately 3 kgs of Pseudoephedrine were found. The total value of confiscated goods is Rs. 30 lakhs. All material was recovered and seized under NDPS Act, 1985.
The parcel was booked in the name of a Theni (TN) based person and destined to Auburn, New South Wales, Australia. On further deep investigation and searches it was found that Sathik, 37, resident of Chennai, was the mastermind in this smuggling activity. He received the order from his buyer in Australia to supply 3 kgs of Pseudoephedrine powder. He purchased the powder from a Bengaluru based person. He gave the same to his partner who is based in Thanjavur with instructions to conceal the same in spice powder packets and send it to Australian Address given by him.
Branded Masala packets which contained narcotics substance
His partner in turn took help of one Khan, 30, of Chennai for concealing the powder in the spice powder packets. One Antony, 41, of Pudukkottai came to Chennai took the delivery of parcel from Khan and booked the same to Australia through a Chennai based courier company in the name of his friend Selvam, a resident of Theni (TN) by misusing his Aadhar card. All four who are involved in smuggling activity have been arrested under NDPS Act. Further investigation is in progress.
A senior custom official on the condition of anonymity, as he is not authorised to speak to the media revealed “The smugglers are using various modus operandi to smuggle in or smuggle out various things but we have numerous sources to get details about these kinds of activities. We are on high alert 24×7 and ensure that no wrongdoing is done. In the recent past we have unearthed several smuggling activities and have put culprits behind the bar”.
It may be noted that in India, Chennai customs is leading in unearthing various illegal and smuggling activities due to their round the clock strict vigil. The customs officials have unearthed various smuggling activities that include Gold haul, drug tablets, drug powder, star tortoise and many more.
Editor in Chief : Mewati SItaram
