Drug worth Rs 5 cr meant to be smuggled to Australia seized

Bengaluru, February 24

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Customs officials at the Bengaluru airport unearthed 5 kg of ephedrine drug worth Rs 5 crore that was being packed in wedding cards to be smuggled to Australia.

The officials noticed the pouches hidden between the layers of the cardboard of the wedding cards, according to a statement.

During preliminary scanning at Kempegowda International Airport on Friday, the customs officials noticed concealment of some package and detailed examination revealed there were 43 invitation cards.

Crystalline powder was found in polythene pouches, which was concealed between the hardboard layers of each side in each of the 43 cards, the statement said.

The export consignment was booked by a Madurai-based exporter and was meant to be smuggled to Australia, the Customs department said.

It also said Friday’s incident was the second attempt in the past three days to smuggle ephedrine from Bengaluru airport. Last Tuesday, 5 kg of the drug was seized at the airport. PTI