Cops foil £1m plot to ship deadly new drug made from cars’ catalytic converters to the UK

POLICE have foiled a plot to ship a deadly new drug made from cars’ catalytic converters to the UK.

They seized metal drums filled to the brim with a fine grey powder taken from the exhaust systems.

AlamyPolice were able to intercept the drug before it reached the UK[/caption]

The powder is used to make a drug called bombe, which leaves users in a zombie-like state.

Three shipments were intercepted at the O.R Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg.

Customs officials in South Africa said the £1million haul was bound for the UK, Dubai and Jordan.

Ceramic honeycomb cores belonging to catalytic converters were also seized.

They are rich in precious metals that can be extracted by crime gangs and used to make jewellery, car parts and weapons.

But the core can also be crushed into a powder to make bombe, which is sweeping the globe.

Experts say it can cause heart and lung problems.

One lead investigator said: “Consumers led us to the dealers and manufacturers.”

Dandy Yela Y’Olemba, of the World Federation against Drugs, said: “It’s not a substance for us to consume.”