Based on intelligence Chennai Air Customs intercepted a courier parcel suspected to contain narcotics substanceat Air Courier Terminalwhich was destined for Australia

The parcel was declared to contain spices powder etc. On examination, branded masala packets of 50 and 100 gramswere found inside among other grocery items.  On closer look some chilipowder & sambhar powder packets were found to be tempered with.On opening the packet,a plastic pouch containing white crystalline powder was found concealed inside. Total 37 plastic pouches were recovered from inside the spice packets. Thepowder tested positive for Pseudoephedrine. Total 3kgs of Pseudoephedrine valued at Rs. 30 lakhs was recovered and seized under NDPS Act, 1985.

The parcel was booked in the name of a Theni (TN) based person anddestined to Auburn,New South Wales, Australia.On searches and investigation it is found that Sathik, 37, resident of Chennai, who is mastermind in this smuggling activity, had got the order of 3 kgs of Pseudoephedrine powder from his buyer in Australia. He purchased the powder from a Bengaluru based person and gave the same to his partner who is based in Thanjavur with instructions to conceal the same in spice powder packets and send to Australian Address given by him. His partnerin turn took help of one Khan, 30, of Chennai for concealing the powder in the spice powder packets. One Antony, 41, of Pudukkottaicame to Chennai took the delivery of parcel from Khan and booked the same to Australia through a Chennai based courier company in the name of his friendSelvam, a resident of Theni (TN) by misusing his Aadhar card. All four who are involved in smuggling activity have been arrested under NDPS Act.

Further investigation is in progress.

This is stated in a press release issued by the Rajan Chaudhary, Commissioner of Customs, Chennai International Airport.

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