New Delhi – As India grapples with a surge in substance abuse, police across multiple states have intensified crackdowns on illegal drug networks, seizing thousands of narcotic pills, cough syrups laced with harmful substances, and banned injections. From tragic child fatalities linked to overdose to major smuggling busts, these incidents underscore the growing threat of substandard and illicit pharmaceuticals infiltrating communities. In the past week alone, authorities have arrested over a dozen individuals and recovered contraband worth lakhs, highlighting systemic vulnerabilities in drug supply chains. Health experts warn that such unregulated substances pose severe risks, including addiction, organ failure, and death, particularly among vulnerable populations like children and laborers.
Madhya Pradesh: Poisonous Cough Syrup Probe Deepens with Key Arrests
In Chhindwara district, the investigation into the deadly Coldrif cough syrup scandal took a significant turn with the arrest of Sun Pharma’s medical representative, Satish Verma, on Sunday. Verma, accused of taking commissions to push the toxic syrup through local pharmacies and doctors, was detained from his Parasiya residence by local police. This follows the earlier arrest of Apna Pharma’s operator, who supplied the contaminated product to patients. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) is now scrutinizing Sun Pharma’s role, including how commissions influenced prescriptions that endangered public health. No specific victim counts have been disclosed, but officials emphasize the syrup’s poisonous composition as a direct health hazard.
Meanwhile, in Rewa, the “Corex Free Rewa” campaign yielded a major haul on Saturday, with police intercepting a luxury Skoda car smuggling 1,920 Bottles of On-RX narcotic cough syrup from Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. Three suspects—Sushil Manjhi, Anand Vishwakarma, and Krishna Singh—were arrested, and the vehicle was impounded. The seizure, valued at ₹7.3 lakh, is part of a broader week-long operation that netted 5,000 Bottles of similar contraband. Rewa ASP Aarti Singh noted, “Such actions have created panic among drug peddlers,” urging citizens to report suspicious activities.
Rajasthan: Narcotic Pill Busts Rock Hanumangarh
Hanumangarh district emerged as a hotspot for narcotic trafficking, with police registering multiple arrests in quick succession. On Saturday night, town police nabbed Gurvinder Singh near Fatehgarh Shyam Singh Wala, recovering 1,150 banned NDPS Act tablets from his possession during a routine patrol. Circle Inspector Ashok Bishnoi revealed that interrogation is underway to trace the main supplier, with a case filed under the NDPS Act.
Earlier, Phephana police arrested two youths, Suraj Sony and Pradeep Kumar, during a checkpoint operation, seizing 800 prohibited capsules: 300 Pregabalin and 500 Tapentadol tablets. The duo, residents of Jaipur and Nohar, face charges under Section 223(B) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023. District SP Hari Shankar affirmed, “Strict action against drug trafficking will continue as part of our special campaign.”
Uttar Pradesh: Toddler’s Tragic Death Exposes Overdose Dangers
A heartbreaking incident in Bulandshahr has cast a spotlight on the perils of unregulated cough syrups. Four-year-old Golu died on Saturday morning after overdosing on a prescribed syrup during a family visit to Anupshahr for Bhaiya Dooj. The child, from Aligarh, consumed three capfuls—far exceeding the single dose given by his mother—leading to rapid unconsciousness. Despite frantic treatment at hospitals in Aligarh, Meerut, and Delhi’s Safdarjung, he succumbed around 6 AM. District Drug Inspector Anil Anand stated, “If the syrup was from Aligarh, we’ll coordinate an investigation,” while CHC In-charge PK Mishra appealed against quack treatments. No arrests have been made, but the case has prompted calls for stricter prescription enforcement.
Haryana: Interstate Smuggler Caught with 720 Capsules
In Yamuna Nagar, the Haryana State Narcotics Control Bureau’s Ambala unit arrested interstate smuggler Sunny Rathore near Hathini Kund Mor on Monday, seizing 720 prohibited drug capsules. A Saharanpur resident, Rathore was remanded for four days by a court under the NDPS Act. Officials hailed the bust as a blow to cross-border trafficking networks preying on the region’s youth.
Chandigarh: Taxi Driver-Turned-Smuggler Busted with 30 Injections
Chandigarh police thwarted a local supply chain on October 25 night, arresting taxi driver Ajay Kumar alias Sanjay in Sector-31’s Ramdarbari area. The suspect, caught loitering suspiciously near Cactus Park, was found with 30 narcotic injections—15 each of Pheniramine Maleate and Buprenorphine Hydrochloride—sourced from Ambala, Haryana. During interrogation, he confessed to distributing them across the city, including to clubs. Remanded for one day, the case exposes how everyday vehicles facilitate urban drug peddling.
Himachal Pradesh: Courier Firms Under Scrutiny for Narcotic Deliveries
In Chamba, the Health Department issued notices to a courier company and an online seller after police seized narcotic capsules from an unverified parcel last week. Officials demand full delivery records, including recipient details, to distinguish legitimate medical use from addiction-fueled orders. CMO Dr. Bipin Thakur emphasized, “We’ve sought responses from both companies to curb online narcotic sales without prescriptions.” This follows directives for photo and Aadhaar verification on medicine parcels, signaling a push against e-commerce loopholes.
Jammu & Kashmir: Banned Capsules Seized in Srinagar Bust
Srinagar police arrested two men, Zameer Ahmed and Irfan Ahmed, on Saturday evening in the Habbakadal-Gowkadal area after a foot chase. The duo was carrying 116 banned capsules—Spasmo-Proxyvon Plus and Spas Core-Von Plus—plus ₹12,200 in cash, linked to an illicit prescription drug trade. An FIR under NDPS sections was filed at Kral Khud station. A police spokesperson vowed, “We’ll intensify operations to dismantle distribution networks,” urging public tips to combat substance abuse in the Valley.
These coordinated actions reflect a national resolve to dismantle drug syndicates, but experts call for enhanced regulatory oversight and public awareness to prevent further tragedies. As winter approaches and respiratory ailments rise, the onus is on authorities to ensure safe access to genuine medicines.
