Customs officials in Chennai, eastern India, seized $700,00 USD worth of drugs concealed in weighing scales on February 9.

Officials were alerted after customs officers intercepted a cargo shed destined for Doha, Qatar, that contained 55 weighing scales that were heavier than usual.

Upon inspection, metal boxes were found taped to the lower parts of the scales. These boxes contained 44 kilograms of hash and 700 grams of methamphetamine.

In addition, 1.6 kilograms of pregabalin capsules were recovered from the machines.

The exporter, identified as Sree Aalaya, and a staff member of the custom-house agent were arrested after an extensive search.

Air Cargo Customs officials seized hashish and methamphetamine worth Rs. 5.1 crore (USD 7,00,054) from southern India's Chennai International Airport on February 9.

Visuals witnessing the smuggled items feature several huge blocks of hashish ingeniously wrapped with several layers of plastic and black adhesive tape. These bars are concealed on the lower part of the weighing machine seized by the authorities.

Following this, containers full of meth crystals, white capsules, and hash can be seen amid other illicit objects.

The officials of Chennai Air Cargo Customs intercepted a consignment at the cargo export shed, which was destined for Doha (Qatar). The shipping bill contained 55 weighing machines in seven packages. Sleuths discovered that the digital weighing scales were heavy, and they were further opened and examined. Following this, the officials found a specially designed metal box fixed with tape on the lower part of the scale. The boxes contained two pieces of dark brown material wrapped with plastic sheets.

The material tested positive for hashish and a total of 44 kg (97 lbs) of it worth Rs. 4.4 crore (USD 6,03,922) was recovered from 44 machines. Furthermore, 700 grams (1.5 lbs) of meth crystals valued at Rs. 70 lakh (USD 96,078) were retrieved from two devices and were seized under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act.

In addition to that, 1,620 grams of pregabalin capsules used in anxiety disorder and fibromyalgia were recovered from six machines. This drug does not fall in the controlled drug list in India but is used in many countries abroad.

The exporter, identified as Sree Aalaya, and a staff member of the custom-house agent were arrested after an extensive search.