From US to Andhra via Foreign Post - 1.7 kg cannabis seized from sleeping bags

Updated: Apr 27, 2020, 11:44 PM ISTAt a time when liquor shops across India are closed and tipplers are trying different ways an means to get high, a parcel containing foreign Cannabis from America was to reach an individual in Annavaram, East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh. However, shortly after making its way to the Foreign Post Office in Chennai, the contraband was seized by Customs authorities. In the carton box, there was no vacuum cleaner but four plastic bags containing greenish dried flower pods were found concealed inside. On opening the 8 bags, a strong ‘weedy’ smell similar to Cannabis of high quality was noticed. This seizure is being regarded as a very rare one at a time when International and domestic flights are suspended, due to a nationwide lockdown that is in place since March 25th. Contraband does get caught at the Foreign post office, we had made seizures of lethal drugs in the recent past as well. Now is also a time when there are fewer seizures of banned substances as there is comparatively limited cargo coming in, of which most are PPEs, life-saving medicines and medical goods” Rajan Chaudhary, Commissioner of Customs Chennai Airport told WION. The use of Cannabis for recreational purpose is legal in eleven states of the USA including Washington. Cannabis is a psychotropic substance commonly known as weed, herb, grass, ganja, containing psychoactive chemical delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol(THC). On smoking, THC stimulates the brain and it responds to pleasure and unleashes dopamine which gives a euphoric, relaxed feeling.