VLADIMIR, November 11. /TASS/. Russian customs officers have confiscated 500 kilograms of precursors for the production of synthetic drugs worth 1.5 billion rubles ($15.3 million), which were intended to be delivered to a warehouse in Russia’s central Vladimir Region from Central Asia, the Federal Customs Service (FTS) said in a statement.

"A Gazelle pickup truck carrying the illegal cargo was heading from Central Asia to a warehouse in the Vladimir Region. Twenty plastic cans contained a clear liquid with a specific smell. The amount was enough to produce almost 400 kilograms of drug salts that could have been sold for 1.5 billion rubles on the black market," the statement revealed.

A total of 500 kilograms of drug precursors prohibited for importation into Russia were confiscated. "A criminal investigation has been launched under Article 229.1.4 of the Russian Criminal Code (Major Smuggling of Drug Precursors). The offense carries a penalty of up to life imprisonment," the service added.

The FTS carried out an operation to seize the banned substance together with the Vladimir and Samara regional customs departments and the Border Service of the Federal Security Service (FSB).