Russian held for smuggling drugs

CHENNAI: Two persons were arrested and remanded in judicial custody for attempting to smuggle psychotropic substances to the US and UK. The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Chennai unit, arrested Russian national V Alexander Vyukhan alias Alex (48) near Auroville at Puducherry on Wednesday and C Shankar alias Sekar (48) at Villupuram on Monday last.Both were involved in smuggling contraband to the USAand UK through internet-based pharmacy for nearly five years and earned crores of rupees, said S Davidson Devasrivatham, Zonal Director of NCB, Chennai unit. Psychotropic substances like Alerfic, Alprazolam, Diazatem, Oxycodon and Hydrocodon, which can be used as drugs, were banned in USA and UK. “It can’t be used without prescription from doctors and it costs nearly a dollar per tablet,” said Davidson.As there was no surveilance on the use of these drugs in India, the duo used to smuggle such substances. “Alexander obtained order from international smugglers through the internet, while Shankar sourced the substances in the local market,” said Davidson.Based on  intelligence input, the NCB unit seized speed post articles suspected to be psychotropic substances on September 21 and arrested Shankar at Villupuram, who was shipping these substances to international destinations. Three boxes of controlled drugs and some other undelivered speed posts were also seized.