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Swiss customs report rise in drug seizures

The amount of synthetic drugs, including ecstasy, seized by Swiss customs increased last year Keystone Archive

The amount of drugs seized in the last year by Swiss customs has shown a sharp increase.

In a report published by the Federal Customs Administration on Tuesday, it was announced that 1,066 kilogrammes of cannabis-based products were seized during 2000, up from 148 kilogrammes in the previous year.

The unusually large increase is the result of an exceptional single haul of 800 kilogrammes of cannabis at Zurich airport, customs officials said.

The seizure of synthetic drugs, including LSD, ecstasy and amphetamines also rose from 32,000 to 109,000 units.

While the quantity of heroine seized by customs fell from 143 kilogrammes in 1999 to 99 kilogrammes last year, seizures of cocaine registered an increase, from 68 kilogrammes to 128 kilogrammes.

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