In a major victory against illegal drug trafficking, a combined operation by law enforcement and excise officials in Uttar Pradesh has resulted in the seizure of banned cough syrup valued at an astounding ₹3 crore. Three individuals suspected of being involved in the illicit trade have been taken into custody.
The successful raid took place on Saturday evening near Churk in Sonbhadra district, Uttar Pradesh. According to Additional Superintendent of Police Anil Kumar, authorities intercepted two large container trucks carrying approximately 1.19 lakh bottles of the prohibited cough syrup. The consignment was en route from Ghaziabad to Jharkhand when it was stopped.
A subsequent examination by a drug inspector confirmed that the seized syrup contained codeine, a potent narcotic substance strictly prohibited under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. This crucial finding solidifies the charges against the arrested.
The three apprehended individuals, identified as Hemant Pal and Brajmohan Shivhare, both from Shivpuri, Madhya Pradesh, along with Ramgopal Dhakad from Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, are now facing serious legal consequences. During initial questioning, they admitted to a sophisticated smuggling operation, concealing the illicit syrup amongst legitimate cartons of chips and snacks in an attempt to bypass official checks.
Further details emerging from the interrogation revealed that the accused were awaiting instructions from a contact in Jharkhand regarding the final drop-off location for the vast drug consignment. A formal case has been registered against them under the relevant sections of the NDPS Act, and investigations are ongoing to uncover the full extent of this smuggling network.