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Russian customs seize ecstasy trove from Belgium in huge postal drug bust

Two Russians, who came to claim the parcel, were detained

© EPA/HENNING KAISER

MOSCOW, March 31. /TASS/. Two Russians were detained when they came to pick up a parcel from Belgium, containing a steam cooker and 5,000 ecstasy pills, Russia’s Federal Customs Service said in a statement.

"During a customs examination, a cardboard box was found containing a steam cooker packed with five plastic bags filled with different-colored pills, marked with various logos and designs," the statement reads. "According to an expert, the pills contained the drug substance MDMA."

Two Russian citizens, who came to pick up the parcel, were detained. One of them was on a federal wanted list for drug-related charges.

A subsequent search of his apartment yielded 17 kilograms of other narcotic substances.

A criminal case has been initiated. The suspects, who are now in pre-trial detention, face anywhere from 10 to 20 years in prison, if found guilty.

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