Customs Seizes 16 Kilograms of Ketamine at Berlin Airport

What is Ketamine?

On the black market, the substance is considered a popular party drug. Ketamine (also: ketamine hydrochloride) is used in medicine as a pain reliever.

In addition, attention is drawn to possible health hazards because it can have disinhibiting and euphoric effects and can trigger hallucinations in higher doses.

The investigators are following up on indications of possible connections to organized crime. To this end, the man's mobile phone was seized in order to evaluate contacts and communication.

Investigations and Background

The case is part of a series of drug finds at German airports. Customs stopped the man at the gate at the last moment, thereby preventing the smuggled goods from making their way to Asia.

According to the responsible public prosecutor's office, the 22-year-old is being investigated on suspicion of trading in narcotics in not insignificant quantities. Following his arrest, he is in pretrial detention.

According to investigators' assessment, the size of the seized quantity underscores the professional structure of the transport. With 16 kilograms of pure ketamine, a clearly six-figure profit would have been possible in wholesale trade.

The investigations are ongoing. It is also being examined whether the man had clients in Germany or abroad and whether further smuggling operations were planned.