Customs officers in Moscow, together with the FCS Main Directorate for Combating Smuggling, blocked an attempt to import 1,024 kg of precursor used to manufacture mephedrone — enough raw material, officials estimate, to yield more than 800 kg of finished drug worth over RUB 2.4 billion on the black market. Source: FCS Russia.
Investigators found the shipment had travelled from Central Asia in a truck carrying mixed cargo, including scooter parts, car body components and tea sets.
After goods were unloaded at a Moscow warehouse, officers seized 40 plastic canisters containing a transparent liquid with a distinctive odour.
Forensic testing identified the substance as the narcotic precursor 1-(4-methylphenyl)propan-1-one.
A criminal case was opened under Article 229.1(4) of the Russian Criminal Code for smuggling precursors on an especially large scale; the penalty may include life imprisonment.
