Customs seize ketamine in zari spools, heroin in water heater

The remitting and intelligence division of the Commissioner of Customs (preventive) has stumbled upon a unique method to smuggle drugs out of the country.

The department seized ketamine concealed inside spools of zari threads and heroine concealed inside water heater from a private courier company in Pydhonie on Thursday night.

Assistant commissioner of customs V K Vamshadhara said 2.75 kg of ketamine and 200 gm of heroine worth Rs 25 lakh have been seized. "We are on the look-out for two Nigerian nationals who had booked the couriers," Vamshadhara said.

Based on a tip-off from superintendent Ashlesh Maskar, customs officers intercepted a parcel containing embroidery (zari) threads, garment laces and decorative plastic beads to be sent to South Africa.

The ketamine powder was concealed in small pouches and attached to the spool and the embroidery thread was rolled to the spool to hide the pouches. "A total of 53 spools were seized, in which ketamine was concealed in small packets," Vamshadhara added.

The ketamine consignment was to be couriered to South Africa and was booked by an unidentified Nigerian national a few days ago.

The water heater was to be couriered to China. A case has been filed under the Narcotic Drug and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.