The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has discovered a new Mumbai-Australia/New Zealand route that has become popular among drug networks for smuggling ephedrine-like drugs into mattresses stitched between layers of cotton. NCB officials said there have been five separate seizures in the past few months in which narcotics were being smuggled into these countries in a similar fashion, the latest being in Andheri on Thursday. It was sourced from Hyderabad and destined for Australia via Mumbai airport.
An NCB official said that based on credible information, a team from NCB Mumbai seized 4.6 kg of ephedrine from a cargo bound for Australia at Andheri, Mumbai. The banned material was hidden inside three mattresses packed in a carton in the form of a parcel. During the search, all the mattresses and restricted material hidden inside were pulled out. Further investigation is on in Mumbai to nab the consignee and consignee and to unearth other links to drug smugglers.
Ephedrine has a chemical structure similar to amphetamine, and is a methamphetamine analog. Due to its structural similarity to ephedrine, it can be used to make methamphetamine. This has turned it into a highly sought-after chemical precursor in the illegal manufacture of methamphetamine.
Ephedrine is covered under Table-I of the NDPS Act, 1985 under Section 9A (Prohibition on the production, supply, distribution of narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances) and the United Nations Convention against Illegal Trafficking in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances.
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