NCB busts Chennai-based ring trafficking drugs to New Zealand

CHENNAI/MUMBAI: Investigating a drug trafficking case, the Mumbai unit of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) busted a ring that was allegedly smuggling ephedrine valued at Rs 5 crore to New Zealand, and arrested a man from Chennai.

According to the NCB, investigations showed that the trafficking network was operating from Chennai and used forged documents to book international courier consignments. To avoid detection, members of the syndicate allegedly travelled to different cities, including Mumbai and Pune, to dispatch the parcels.

According to NCB officials, based on intelligence input, they intercepted two courier parcels on July 21 and another on July 25. The parcels, booked using forged documents, were allegedly destined for New Zealand.
When they opened it, the officials found 7 kg of ephedrine concealed between layers of floor mats and cloth rolls. The documents used to book the parcels were found to be fake, the NCB said.

The information gathered during their investigation led the officials to Triplicane in Chennai, where they picked up a person, identified as S Hameed, on July 23. Searches at his premises resulted in the recovery of packing materials, a digital weighing machine, heat-sealing machines, plastic bags, forged identity cards, digital gadgets, and other incriminating documents, the agency said.

Based on Hameed's confession during interrogation, the NCB intercepted another courier parcel at Kalyan in Maharashtra on July 25. Officials recovered from it 3.99 kg of ephedrine concealed between layers of bedsheets and photo frames, taking the total contraband seizure to 10.99 kg valued at Rs 5 crore.

Officials said efforts were under way to trace the source of the ephedrine, a controlled substance that is commonly diverted for the illicit manufacture of methamphetamine, and identify other members of the network.

Ephedrine is used in treatment for low blood pressure and also as a decongestant. However, it is categorised as a controlled substance, as ephedrine is used in the manufacture of methamphetamine - a party drug that is commonly known as ice, crystal meth, speed, etc.

The NCB appealed to people to share drug-related information through the MANAS National Narcotics Helpline (1933), assuring that informants' identities would remain confidential.