Sonbhadra Police Seize Rs 3 Crore Worth Of Banned Cough Syrup

In a major crackdown on illegal drug trafficking, police and excise officials in Uttar Pradesh's Sonbhadra district have seized banned cough syrup valued at approximately Rs 3 crore and arrested three individuals allegedly connected to the smuggling network.

Seizure Operation

The joint operation, conducted late Saturday evening near Churk Mod on the Varanasi-Shaktinagar route, was led by Additional SP Anil Kumar. A combined team of the Special Operations Group (SOG) and the excise department intercepted two container trucks transporting the illicit consignment from Ghaziabad to Jharkhand.

During inspection, officials uncovered 1,19,675 bottles of Escuf cough syrup-each containing 100 ml-hidden among cartons of chips and snacks. The seized consignment is estimated to be worth between Rs 3 and 3.5 crore in the black market.

Composition and Legal Measures

Preliminary testing conducted by the Drug Inspector confirmed that the seized syrup contained codeine phosphate, a narcotic substance regulated under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. The sale, transport, or distribution of such products without authorization is strictly prohibited under Indian law.

The three suspects were identified as Hemant Pal of Shivpuri (Madhya Pradesh), Brajmohan Shivhare, and Ramgopal Dhakad, both residents of Gwalior. During interrogation, the accused admitted to concealing the banned syrup inside snack cartons to avoid detection. They further disclosed that an accomplice in Jharkhand was scheduled to direct them to the delivery location.

Wider Network Under Probe

Investigators suspect the seized consignment was linked to an interstate narcotics trade network operating through Jharkhand and Bihar. Authorities are probing whether the illegal cough syrup was intended for sale during the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections as part of a broader smuggling operation.

Police have filed cases under relevant sections of the NDPS Act, and further investigation is underway to trace the masterminds and dismantle the supply chain behind the illegal trade.