Ketamine valued at Rs60 crore seized from Chennai, Mumbai

Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has recovered 600kg of ketamine valued at Rs60 crore in the inernational market from Chennai and Mumbai, before they were to be smuggled to Malaysia and Indonesia.

DRI additional director general C Rajan told PTI that this was the biggest seizure made in the recent times by the agency which was keeping a close watch at the Mumbai and Chennai airports following information that the drug could be smuggled through these airports.

Following a tip-off that a key person belonging to a gang allegedly involved in the smuggling of ketamine was coming to Chennai, officials nabbed him at the airport in Chennai last week.

"Based on his information, we recovered seven parcels of ketamine weighing 500kg and our counterparts in Mumbai recovered 100kg. This is one of the biggest seizures in the recent times and is valued at Rs60 crore in the international market," Rajan said.

The arrested person was identified as Rajapandian, 32, and investigation was on to nab his accomplices, he said.

Ketamine is a veterinary anaesthetic which can cause hallucinations and is known to be used as recreational drug.