Narcotics in trucks from Pakistan to be examined

Srinagar, Feb 7 (IANS) Forensic experts will Saturday examine the contents of packets containing narcotics seized from a truck that entered Jammu and Kashmir's Baramulla district from Pakistan.

Authorities at the Salamabad trade facilitation centre in the district recovered packets of narcotic substance concealed in boxes carrying oranges. Twenty-two trucks were detained for verification.

The trucks had come from the Chakoti trade centre near Muzaffarabad in Pakistani Kashmir and crossed into the Indian side.

"We have recovered 307 packets weighing 12 kgs containing powder of a narcotic substance.

"These packets were concealed in 97 boxes containing oranges," a senior customs official supervising trade across the Line of Control (LoC) told IANS.

"All the 22 trucks that came here yesterday (Friday) from Chakoti trade centre near Muzaffarabad have been detained for verification...," the official said.

Officials here told IANS that following the recovery, Pakistan authorities have detained 50 trucks from India at the Chakoti trade centre.

On Jan 17, 2014, authorities recovered brown sugar packets from a truck that had arrived at the Salamabad trade facilitation centre from Muzaffarabad.

The resulting impasse had stalled trade across the LoC for nearly a month.