46 years old man named Gulab has been arrested for carrying 503 ampoules of buprenorphine and 140 Nitrazepam tablets. Excise officials said that possession of more than one gram of the buprenorphine drug is a crime and Nitrazepam is a hypnotic drug.
The anti-narcotic special squad of the excise department made his arrest from Mattancherry. Gulab was operated from his house and officials seized ampoules and the tablets from Gulab’s house. He was living on rent at Goldenmukku, Panayappilly in Thoppumpady. He stored drug illegally at his home sold the drugs even to students.
He also gives drug injections to his customers with buprenorphine doses upon payment. Excise officials had kept Gulab under surveillance for his activities and arrested him red-handed when they got right tip-off. The use of Buprenorphine is mainly as a painkiller for cancer patients and it’s is popularly abused as a narcotic substance as well.
Officials also shared that ampules with brand name Temgesic, in total contained 1006 grams of buprenorphine. Gulab also used the same syringe to inject multiple customers and also exposing them to risks of catching other diseases like HIV.
Officers also told to the media that Gulab used to buy drugs outside the state and he was also a drug user. Police working to investigate the complete matter under the guidance of excise circle inspector B Suresh who also conducted the raid.
