Mumbai: The Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) of the Customs arrested a Palghar resident trying to smuggle out 8 kg of ketamine worth Rs 21 crore to Thailand by concealing it in chip packets.
The arrested man was identified as Thapliyal Vinod Prasad (50). Acting on specific intelligence, AIU officials at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport intercepted and detained Prasad while he was about to take a flight to Phuket.
A check of his baggage resulted in the recovery of chips and farsan packets, and on opening these the officials found small polythene bags containing ketamine. Preliminary tests were positive for narcotics.
Prasad was slapped with a case under the NDPS Act.
