Italian customs officials on Monday made a significant bust, intercepting over six tons of chemical precursors at Milan’s airport.
The seized substances, originating from China, could have been used to produce illegal drugs worth approximately 630 million euros ($678 million).
The precursors, initially disguised as polyester powder coating, were actually PMK, a key component in the production of ecstasy.
Italian authorities placed a Milan-based entrepreneur under investigation and, in coordination with Eurojust and Dutch police, arrested two Chinese nationals in the Netherlands.
An Italian entrepreneur from Milan was placed under investigation and two Chinese nationals were arrested in the Netherlands as part of investigations carried out with the European judicial agency Eurojust, said Italian customs.
After being analysed in a laboratory, powder seized that purported to be polyester powder coating turned out to be PMK — a precursor product of ecstasy.
The cargo was intended to pass through a company with Milan headquarters before being shipped to the Netherlands.
Dutch police officers contacted by Italian colleagues identified the intended final destination and seized dozens of kilos of PMK, ketamine, and hashish.
