U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers in Philadelphia have intercepted six separate attempts to smuggle ketamine from Europe into the United States, with the most recent seizure occurring on December 11. The shipments, which arrived between September 23 and December 11, originated from the United Kingdom, France, and the Netherlands. Four of these were destined for Florida and two for Connecticut.
According to CBP officials, each shipment was falsely declared as a different item. Upon inspection, officers found a white crystalline substance hidden inside items such as a punching bag base, plastic cleaning solvent bottles, plastic shell cases, and vacuum-sealed bags. Officers used handheld elemental isotope analysis tools to confirm that the substance was ketamine hydrochloride.
Ketamine hydrochloride is classified as a Schedule III non-narcotic compound under the Controlled Substances Act. It is lawfully used by medical professionals but is also abused recreationally for its hallucinogenic effects. Overdoses can cause serious health issues including nausea, elevated heart rate, unconsciousness, convulsions, and respiratory failure.
The combined weight of the seized ketamine shipments and concealment objects totaled 160 pounds. Due to safety concerns, officers did not remove ketamine concealed within some objects such as punching bag bases.
Cleatus P. Hunt Jr., Area Port Director for CBP’s Area Port of Philadelphia, stated: “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. CBP officers remain committed to disrupting drug smuggling attempts and working with our law enforcement partners to hold drug trafficking organizations accountable.”
Philadelphia CBP has continued to seize shipments of ketamine in recent months. Between late June and September alone, officers confiscated an additional 129 pounds of ketamine headed primarily for South Florida and smaller parcels bound for Seattle, Las Vegas, and Wayne, Michigan.
Nationally, CBP officers and agents seize an average of 1,571 pounds of drugs daily at air, sea, and land ports of entry—including about 78 pounds of fentanyl per day—according to agency data available on their website (https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/stats/typical-day-fy2024).
CBP's mission at ports of entry involves screening international travelers and cargo for illegal narcotics as well as other prohibited items that could threaten public safety or economic security.
More information about CBP operations can be found at www.CBP.gov.
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