Narcotic drug valued at Rs 14-15 crore seized

The drug was concealed in a consignment of maize meant to be exported to Malaysia on November 30, customs sources said today.

The Customs Officers noticed 15 polythene packets of white crystalline powder concealed in 15 maize bags, out of 400 bags. Each packet weighed five kg.

Tests carried out at the chemical lab of the Custom House, Tuticorin, revealed that the substance was ephedrine hydrochloride or pseudo ephedrine hydrochloride, a narcotic substance covered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Regulation of controlled substances) Order, 1993 read with the Narcotic Drug and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.