Badmal Police Seize Codeine Syrup Worth Over Rs. 1 Crore, Arrest Two Interstate Traffickers
Jharsuguda: In one of the largest anti-narcotics hauls in the district, Badmal Police on Monday busted an interstate drug trafficking racket by seizing 23,640 bottles of codeine-based cough syrup worth over Rs. 1 crore and arresting two alleged traffickers under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.
The accused were identified as Mohammad Ahsan Ahmed (38) of Aurangabad district in Bihar and Rijwan Ansari (28) of Bardhaman district in West Bengal.
The seizure was made during a well-planned operation by Badmal Police under the state’s Nashamukt Abhiyan Odisha. Acting on specific intelligence that a truck carrying illegal codeine cough syrup would reach a fly ash brick factory near Tumbekela, under Badmal Police station limits, police constituted a special team and laid a trap after completing all mandatory legal formalities under the NDPS Act in the presence of an Executive Magistrate and independent witnesses.
At around 11 am, police intercepted a Tata truck (OD-09A-4122) and a Hyundai Creta (JH09AF5254). A search of the vehicles led to the recovery of 197 sealed cartons containing 23,640 bottles of WINCEREX cough syrup (100 ml each) containing Codeine Phosphate and Triprolidine Hydrochloride. The total seized quantity measured 2,364 litres, which falls under the commercial quantity category under the NDPS Act.
Police also seized the two vehicles allegedly used for transporting the contraband, Rs. 2.44 lakh in cash, an Apple iPhone 16, and an Oppo A5 Pro mobile phone.
During interrogation, the accused allegedly disclosed that the contraband had been procured from Jagannathpur in Chaibasa, Jharkhand, without valid purchase documents and was being transported for illegal distribution for unlawful financial gain. A case has been registered under Sections 21(c) and 29 of the NDPS Act, 1985.
Jharsuguda Superintendent of Police G. R. Raghavendra said, “Further investigation is underway to trace the source of the contraband, identify the interstate supply network, ascertain the intended destination of the consignment, and apprehend other persons involved in the racket.”
The SP reiterated that Jharsuguda Police remain committed to curbing narcotics trafficking and appealed to the public to share credible information about illegal drug activities to strengthen enforcement efforts.
