BENGALURU:
The Customs officials at the Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) here have seized Rs 79 lakh worth ‘Ephedrine’ concealed in a gas stove.
The seizure was made in the exports division on Thursday late night.
According to a statement by the Customs here on Friday they intercepted a consignment of steel gas stove, which was destined to Australia.
“As much as 1,983 grams of Ephedrine were concealed in four legs of the gas stove. We had to cut it open using a metal cutting machine tool,” the statement stated.
Based on specific Information, officers of intelligence wing of Bengaluru Intl. Courier Centre-intercepted export consignment destined to Australia, declared as “Steel Gas Stove” & recovered Ephedrine -1983 gms.:value Rs.79 lakhs (Approx) @cbic_india @ianuragthakur #SayNoToDrugs pic.twitter.com/mD8RxufdGW
— Bengaluru Customs (@blrcustoms) October 15, 2020
The drug was neatly packed in plastic wrappers and placed in a hollow section of the pipes. The pipes were welded from both the ends and no one could easily detect or suspect anything from the outer look of the stove.
Ephedrine is often abused by sports players, especially weightlifters, college students, the fashion industry and even truck drivers are known to abuse the substance because of the performance enhancing effect of the drug.
People who are wanting to lose weight, often use and abuse Ephedrine because of its association with weight loss, especially this is a big hit among the modelling and the film industry worldover. (Agency)
