A Bengaluru scientist and his wife have been arrested with 231kg of amphetamine worth approximately Rs 231 crore in the international market.

The seizure is one of the biggest made by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB).

TOI

The use of psycho-stimulant drugs such as amphetamine and ecstasy has increased among Indian youngsters, according to the NCB. These drugs are largely smuggled to southeast Asian and African countries from India. According to the intelligence gathered by NCB officials, a major inter-state drug network is at work in Hyderabad and Bengaluru.

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Venkat Rama Rao (37), a research scientist working at a reputed firm, was arrested on September 30, while in Hyderabad to collect the drug from an associate identified as Ravi Shankar Rao (22). Nearly 221kg of amphetamine was recovered from their possession. During questioning, Venkat claimed he had more drugs at home.

stiften/representational image

When the NCB reached his home in Bengaluru, his wife Preethi (35) was hiding 30g of amphetamine, which they suspect was used as a sample for buyers, and Rs 1.23 crore in cash. She was questioned and taken into custody.

Later, the NCB recovered 10kg more from a laboratory where the drug is said to have been processed. NCB sources said more persons were involved in the ring.