PHILADELPHIA, PA — U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers in Philadelphia have intercepted six additional ketamine smuggling attempts originating in Europe, uncovering concealed shipments of the dangerous drug hidden inside everyday items and destined for addresses across the United States.
The most recent seizure occurred December 11, capping a series of interceptions between September 23 and December 11 involving parcels shipped from the United Kingdom, France, and the Netherlands. Four of the shipments were bound for Florida, while two were addressed to locations in Connecticut, CBP officials said.
Officers inspecting the parcels discovered a white, crystalline substance concealed in items designed to evade detection, including a punching bag base, plastic cleaning solvent bottles, plastic shell cases, and vacuum-sealed bags. Field testing using a handheld elemental isotope analysis device confirmed the substance in each case to be ketamine hydrochloride.
Ketamine hydrochloride is a Schedule III non-narcotic substance regulated under the Controlled Substances Act. While it has legitimate medical uses in both human and veterinary medicine, authorities warn that it is frequently abused as an illicit hallucinogen. Known on the street as “Special K,” “Donkey Dust,” and “Cat Killer,” the drug is often smoked, snorted, mixed into beverages, or combined with other illicit substances.
Health officials say ketamine misuse can cause serious and potentially life-threatening effects, including nausea, rapid heart rate, unconsciousness, convulsions, and respiratory failure. Law enforcement agencies also warn that ketamine has been used by sexual predators to incapacitate victims.
“Customs and Border Protection officers vigilantly safeguard our communities from the scourge of dangerous drugs, such as this ketamine, which has been used by sexual predators to assault victims,” said Cleatus P. Hunt Jr., area port director for CBP’s Area Port of Philadelphia. “CBP officers remain committed to disrupting drug smuggling attempts and working with our law enforcement partners to hold drug trafficking organizations accountable.”
The six seizures add to a growing list of ketamine interdictions by Philadelphia-based CBP officers. From late June through September, officers seized 57 pounds of ketamine and another 72 pounds in separate cases, all destined for South Florida. Additional smaller parcels containing ketamine were intercepted en route to addresses in Seattle, Las Vegas, and Wayne, Michigan.
CBP officials said enforcement efforts remain ongoing as traffickers continue to adapt smuggling methods in an effort to move synthetic drugs into the United States through international mail and express consignment shipments.
For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News and MSN.