MOSCOW, February 8 (RIA Novosti) - Russian police officers have seized some 12 kilograms of Gamma hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) in the Moscow Region, the Federal Customs Service has reported.

GHB, also known as “Liquid Ecstasy,” is a substance classified as an illicit drug in many countries. It occurs in small quantities in the human body and is sometimes used as a psychotropic substance in medicine to treat narcolepsy.

The use of the drug, which causes addiction, may lead to negative changes in consciousness and behavior. Its overdose may be fatal.

A channel to smuggle GHB from China by mail has been blocked, according to customs officials.

“Residents of the Moscow Region, involved in organizing illegal deliveries of psychotropic substances, have been established and detained,” the Customs Service said in a press release on Thursday.

“A total of 11.6 kg of the psychotropic substance has been seized from them. It is equivalent to some 30,000-50,000 drug doses,” the service said.

Criminal proceedings have been launched. If found guilty, the detainees face up to 20 years in prison.