DRI seizes narcotic drugs worth Rs 8.84 cr

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has seized narcotics drug worth Rs 8.84 crore consigned to Malaysia at the Container Freight Station here, an official said.
Acting on specific information that a chemical substance was being smuggled to Malaysia through Chennai sea port, officials of DRI Chennai unit inspected the consignment at the Container Frieght Station on December 15 and recovered 44.2 kg of Methaqualone a psychotropic substance used as a party drug, an official release said here.
The container also had 5.9 kg of Piperonal, another substance used in the manufacture of ecstacy concealed in two bags in the container, the release said.

The value of the seized drugs were about Rs 8.84 crore in the international market, it said.
Methaqualone is a psycotropic substance and is listed under Schedule to the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 prohibited for export.
Piperonal is a controlled substance under Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 and requires a specific license to export.
The priliminary investigation revealed that the person behind this attempt to smuggle the substance was 'absconding' and further investigation was underway, it added.