Acting on intelligence inputs, C Laltanpuia, 28, was nabbed yesterday from Terminal-3 of the airport when he was allegedly trying to smuggle the psychotropic substance, officials of Customs department said.
A total of 14.40 kgs of ephedrine tablets (weight including wrapper), a controlled substance under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, was seized, they said.
A kg of ephedrine costs about Rs three lakh in international market and according to this estimate the value of the seized ephedrine is Rs 43. 20 lakh, they said.
"Laltanpuia hails from Aizawl in Manipur. He was living in Janakpuri area of Delhi since 2008. He was asked to smuggle ephedrine to Guwahati via Delhi. Efforts are on to nail the source who handed over the drug to him," a Customs official said.
Laltanpuia, who comes from a poor background, is fluent in English. The official said Laltanpuia was promised Rs 10,000 in lieu of the delivery of the consignment.
Customs official said Laltanpuia was arrested by joint efforts of officials of Narcotics Control Bureau and CISF.
"NCB has issued an alert about the smuggling of drug. Following this CISF personnel traced Laltanpuia and a team of customs officials arrested him," the official said.
"The officials had searched his place at Janakpuri and found only Rs 60 from his home. Laltanpuia, who lives with his wife and sisters, is from a poor family. Due to poverty, he was lured to smuggle the banned substance," the official added.
Ephedrine is commonly used for temporary relief from shortness of breath. However, it is sourced by revellers in rave parties.
