Booster drugs worth Rs 80 lakh seized at IGI airport

New Delhi: The customs at the IGI airport made the biggest ever seizure of 3,500 vials/bottles of performance-enhancing drugs worth over Rs 80 lakh on Saturday. The drugs, which were being smuggled into India from Bangkok in four check-in bags, are also popular at rave parties, said officials.

On Saturday, a passenger, who came on a

Thai Airways flight

, was stopped at the green channel. “During the scanning of his check-in baggage, 3,500 vials and bottles of body supplements were found. The drugs were seized and the passenger, a resident of Punjab, was arrested. The chemical composition of these vials could not be determined and has been sent for tests,” said an officer.

On August 18, the customs seized a similar consignment of 1,200 vials from two passengers coming from Almaty in

Kazakhstan

. Officials now suspect a widespread racket being involved in these attempts.

Experts said that besides being used by sportspersons, these anabolic steroids are also used in cancer treatment and to cure sexual dysfunctions. However, its long-term use may have serious repercussions and it’s not supposed to be sold without prescription, they added.