Ramanthapuram, June 19: Customs officials seized one kg of heroin, five kgs of ganja and one kg of crystal powder from a plastic boat off Otthakal near Rameswaram island late last night, official sources said here today. Deputy Commissioner of Customs Balagurunathan said five persons jumped off the boat and escaped in the cover of darkness on seeing the patrolling customs officials, abandoning the boat.

It was suspected that the narcotics, together worth about Rs 2.25 crore in the international market, was meant for Sri Lanka. The boat also had been seized, he said.

Bureau Report