New Delhi– In a coordinated escalation of anti-narcotics operations across India, police forces seized thousands of bottles of banned cough syrups and narcotic tablets this week, arresting more than 30 individuals involved in smuggling and distribution networks. The raids, spanning Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and Bihar, and Himachal Pradesh highlight a surging black market for codeine-laced cough syrups and prescription drugs like Alprazolam, amid growing concerns over youth addiction and public health risks.
The operations, triggered by intelligence tips, underscore the government’s renewed push under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act to dismantle interstate syndicates. Officials estimate the street value of the contraband at over ₹50 lakh, with investigations pointing to supply chains originating from Uttar Pradesh and Odisha’s industrial hubs.
Key highlights from the raids include:
- Madhya Pradesh (Mauganj District): On October 12, local police intercepted a Scorpio vehicle smuggling 4,500 vials (4,500 CC) of Onrex cough syrup from Uttar Pradesh, valued at ₹6.75 lakh. Three suspects—Anurag Patel (24), Sangram Singh Patel (32), and Anil Patel (27)—were arrested after abandoning the vehicle and fleeing into the night. Additional seizures included the ₹8 lakh Scorpio and a ₹7 lakh unmarked white car, totaling ₹21.75 lakh in contraband. Mauganj police, aided by cyber cells, vowed to intensify border checks, citing 25 child deaths linked to poisonous syrups in the state.
- Odisha (Sambalpur District): In the largest bust, a midnight raid on October 13 at Bareipali’s Machin Kanta Chowk uncovered 5,100 bottles of illegal cough syrup hidden in 17 packets aboard a Mahindra pickup and Maruti Dzire car, transported from Cuttack. Twenty arrests followed, including mastermind Lokesh Pradhan alias Akash and 19 accomplices like Mahendra Kisan and Prabhat Bhoi, who distributed to small-time peddlers. Authorities also seized ₹40,920 in cash and five mobiles. Sambalpur SP Mukesh Bhamu emphasized the operation’s role in curbing local addiction hotspots, with probes ongoing into broader networks.
- Chhattisgarh (Bastar and Balrampur Districts): Twin actions netted five smugglers with 1,560 units of narcotics. In Jagdalpur’s Bodhghat area on October 14, three men—Santosh Patnaik (42), Girja Shankar Sethia (35), and Bharat Lal Yadav (30)—were caught with 1,350 Alprazolam tablets at Maadiya Chowk, awaiting buyers; they were remanded to jail under SP Shalabh Kumar Sinha’s directives.
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Separately, in Ramanujganj on October 12, Ramanujganj police arrested Mantu Soni (21) and Dilip alias Bhaltoo Gupta (21) with 210 Alprazolam tablets and 12 narcotic injections (Rexogesic and Evil brands). SP Vaibhav Banker hailed the busts as part of an ongoing anti-drug drive, with all accused facing NDPS charges.
- Bihar (Supaul District): On October 14, Pratapganj police raided Sukhanagar village resident Shyam Nandan Kumar’s home, seizing 756 liters of Corex cough syrup stored in cartons and bags, transported via pickup van. Kumar was arrested on-site in the presence of a magistrate. Supaul SP Sharth RS confirmed the intelligence-led operation targeted storage depots feeding regional markets.
- Himachal Pradesh (Chamba District): On October 14, Chamba police arrested motorcyclist Raj Kumar (28) from Basholi, Jammu, near Salooni on the Chamba-Pathankot highway after a routine check uncovered 300 banned Spasmo Proxyvon capsules (valued at ₹30,000) concealed in his bike’s seat cover. The seizure, led by SHO Sunil Kumar under SP Abhishek Trivedi, targeted hill routes used for smuggling from Punjab; Raj Kumar confessed to supplying local addicts and was remanded under NDPS Act provisions.
“This wave of seizures exposes the brazen interstate trafficking of substances preying on vulnerable communities,” said a senior Home Ministry official, speaking anonymously. “From rural bypasses to urban chowks, our forces are closing in—expect more such strikes.” Health experts warn that these codeine-based products, often laced with unlisted opioids, have fueled a spike in overdoses, echoing the 2023 Uzbekistan syrup scandal that claimed dozens of lives.
Authorities urge the public to report suspicious activities via helplines like 112, while investigations continue to trace upstream suppliers and end-users. The NDPS Act prescribes up to 20 years’ rigorous imprisonment for such offenses, signaling zero tolerance ahead of the festive season when demand typically surges.
