Bengaluru: The Central Intelligence Unit (CIU) officials of Customs Air Cargo Complex have seized 475 kgs of ephedrine valued approximately at Rs 24 crore, a top official said.

“Ephedrine, a controlled substance is a pre-cursor in medicinal preparations is regulated under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, contravention of which shall result imprisonment of not less than 10 years and penalty,’’ Airport & Air Cargo Commissionerate Bangalore Additional Commissioner of Customs D Anil said in a statement on Saturday.

He said the officers of Central Intelligent Unit, based on a specific intelligence, intercepted an export cargo at the export shed of Air Cargo Complex on Friday.

“On examination of the export consignment comprising of 81 bags declared to be ammonium chloride, it was found that two bags contained ephedrine,’’ he said.

According to him, the consignment was to be smuggled in the guise of ammonium chloride.

“The quantity of the ephedrine detected is approximately 50 kgs which is valued approximately at Rs. 2.50 crore in the international market. The seized substance was to be smuggled to Malaysia,’’ he said.

As a sequel to the investigation, a follow up action of search of the godown of the exporter at Kothanur was undertaken.

“The search resulted in detection and seizure of ephedrine meant for export, involving approximately 425 kgs (17 bags) packed in high-density polyethylene sacks, is valued at Rs 21.50 crore in the international market,’’ he said.

The officers are making all out efforts to nab the offenders.

“Further investigations are in progress,’’ he said.