Two held with Ephedrine-dusted towels

The anti-narcotics cell (ANC) of the city police caught two persons with what they suspect to be Ephedrine, an addictive drug, in their possession. What's baffling, is that the substance was found sprinkled on towels packed in two cartons with the duo. The consignment has been sent for forensic analysis.

What is Ephedrine?

Ephedrine is an addictive drug whose chemical formulation is similar to Amphetamine. It belongs to the stimulant category of narcotic drugs and can be used for medical purposes only on a qualified doctor's prescription. But it is also abused for recreational purposes by students and athletes. "Ephedrine is known to be used by students to improve concentration while studying. Also, athletes use it to boost performance. Ephedrine increases heart rate and stimulates the body," informed Dr Harish Shetty, a Mumbai-based psychiatrist. Ephedrine is a controlled substance under the Narcotics Drug and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. As per officials, in its raw form as well as processed form, the drug is exported in large quantities to Malaysia, Singapore, China, Japan and Indonesia.

How was the drug hidden?

Dahisar (W) resident Avhilprakash Montero, 34, and courier firm employee Naresh Patil, 36, a resident of Aarey Milk Colony in Goregaon (E) were arrested by the police, who seized two cartons, each containing 17 bathroom towels which had been sprinkled with Ephedrine in a powder form, along with five mobile phones, cash and a few identity cards.

How did the cops find out?

A police officer who was part of raid, explained the chain of events, saying, "When we opened the cartons, we found 17 bathroom towels in each carton. Just as we thought we had probably been falsely tipped-off, one of the officers rubbed a towel, and a puff of some powdered substance blew in air."
The officer added: "The duo told the police that Patel had given them the consignment, which was meant to be shipped to Philippines via courier."

Where was the consignment headed?

On Saturday, specific information was received by the officers of Worli unit of ANC that a consignment of Ephedrine would be shipped to Philippines via air courier. "We had got information that Noor Patel, 45, a Colaba resident, deals in Ephedrine and his associates Montero and Patil, ferry the substance, provide them to customers and also ship the substance abroad," said a police officer. The police learned that Montero and Patil would be arriving at a cargo forwarding office at Sahar Village in Andheri around 4:45pm to export an Ephedrine consignment. A trap was laid at the said place and the duo was apprehended.