OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS (I & G)

NEW CUSTOM HOUSE: NEW DELHI

PRESS NOTE

Subejct: Ketamine of International Value worth over 1 crore seized at IGI Airport, New Delhi.

Acting upon an intelligence regarding out smuggling of Ketamine, the Officers of Air Customs intercepted one passenger Mr. Muthalif Anees Mohd. on 15.09.2009 while he was to board the Flight for Bangkok. The examination of his baggage resulted in the recovery of 4.710 kgs. of Ketamine worth 1.65 lakhs (having International value 1 Crore) which was concealed in between the outer and inner walls of milk cookers. The Ketamine was brought to Delhi from Tamilnadu for onward smuggling to Bangkok. The accused Mr. Muthalif Anees Mohd was arrested and has been sent to the judicial custody by Honble ACMM, Patiala House Courts, New Delhi.

2. Besides, two more persons namely Mr. Charles Rosario Jeffry and Mr. Joseph Dominic Allan, involved in another case of smuggling of 47.300 kgs. worth 16.55 lakhs (approx. International Value 10 Crores) of Ketamine, detected by Air Customs officials on 23.08.2009, were also got arrested at Chennai with the assistance of Chennai Customs. Both the accused were produced before the Honble ACMM, Patiala House Courts, New Delhi on 18.09.2009 who has sent both of them for judicial custody.

3. The Air Customs officials of IGI Airport, New Delhi have effected nine seizures of Ketamine during the last five months involving 195.48 kgs of Ketamine having the international value of approximately 40 Crores involving the arrest of 9 persons. In all those cases Ketamine was acquired by the persons from or nearby Chennai, brought to Delhi by Domestic Airlines and was being smuggled to Bangkok, Kula Lumpur, Jakarta

4. Ketamine is a drug commonly used as cows / buffalos feed to enhance their milk giving capacity but it is being misused at Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia and nearby countries as substitute to various party drugs such Cocaine and Heroine. The Government of India has restricted its export by allowing its export only with the prior permission from Narcotics Commissioner, Gwalior.

(M. K. GUPTA)

Commissioner of Customs

(Import & General)

Contact No. 01125656555

01125652088