ROMULUS (WWJ) -- A man from the U.K. has been caught trying to bring more than 110 lbs. of ketamine into the United States through Detroit Metro Airport.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection said officers intercepted the drugs last Wednesday, after the man on a flight in from France was selected for a secondary inspection.
An X-ray scan and physical search of two large suitcases, which the man claimed were given to him by a family member, revealed plastic bags filled with large white crystals.
Field tests identified the substance as ketamine, CBP said.
At $90 per gram, the load had an estimated street value of over $4 million.
The man, whose name was not released, was refused admission into the country and was sent back to France.
Ketamine is a Schedule III controlled substance, and while accepted for medical use for short-term sedation and anesthesia, it is abused for its dissociative sensations and hallucinogenic effects, officials say. The anesthetic drug has also been associated with sexual assault.
CBP says its officers and agents seized an average of 2,895 lbs. of dangerous drugs every day at and between our nation’s air, sea, and land ports of entry.
"Our drug interdiction mission is vital to protecting our nation and our communities from the dangers of illicit substances,” said Acting Port Director John Ammons.
Not sure what you're allowed to bring through U.S. customs? Check out the full list of restricted and prohibited items here.