The seized ephedrine, a highly sought after chemical precursor in the illicit manufacture of methamphetamine (used as a stimulant to the nervous system), is valued at Rs 13 crore in the international market, the DRI said in a press release today.
Based on intelligence, officials of DRI intercepted the two passengers who had boarded the AP Sampark Kranthi Express at New Delhi station. On detailed examination, their baggages were found to contain the ephedrine, a controlled substance under the Narcotic and Psychotropic Substance Act, 1985.
The two passengers were arrested and remanded to judicial custody at Hyderabad, it said.
Earlier this month, the DRI here had made a huge seizure of 6.5 kg of heroin from four passengers who had travelled by train to Chennai.
In addition, the DRI also seized 8.2 tons of Red Sanders wood valued at Rs 82 lakh in the international market at Tuticorin port on May 26 from a container destined for Jebel Ali port but recalled from Colombo after it had sailed from Tuticorin, the release said.
The Red Sander wood is an endemic species found only in Chittoor and Cuddapah region of Andhra Pradesh and is a lucrative market for smugglers due to high demand in countries like China and Japan.