Taiwanese national arrested in Mumbai

MUMBAI: A Taiwanese national has been arrested by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) sleuths for allegedly attempting to export 135 kg drug- related chemical to his home country, an agency official said here on Tuesday.

The substance, ketamine hydrochloride, valued at over Rs 47.25 lakh was seized from him on Friday, he said.

The chemical is said to be used as a party drug, the official said. On further investigations, 40 kg of the same substance was seized from Delhi by DRI officials from courier parcels, he said.

According to the DRI, a group of Chinese men manufactured the drug and various other psychotrpic substances at a laboratory at Bhiwandi in the neighbouring Thane district.

A large quantity of various chemicals used to manufacture the drugs has also been seized from the godown at Bhiwandi, he said, adding the DRI is on the lookout for the Chinese nationals who manufactured the drugs.

The Taiwanese national, whose name was not disclosed by the DRI, has been arrested under the Customs Act and remanded to police custody till November 27.