In a significant bust, law enforcement in Odisha’s Jharsuguda district arrested two men for their involvement in the transportation of illegal cough syrups valued at ₹1 crore, as reported on Tuesday. Acting on a tip-off, police intercepted a truck near Tumbekela in Badmal on Monday, leading to the recovery of the banned syrup packed in 197 cartons.
The seized consignment included 23,640 bottles, each containing 100 ml of syrup made with codeine phosphate and triprolidine hydrochloride, totaling 2,364 litres. The arrested individuals were identified as 38-year-old Mohammad Ahsan Ahmed from Bihar and 28-year-old Rijwan Ansari from West Bengal. Additionally, authorities confiscated the truck and ₹2.44 lakh in cash from them.
Jharsuguda Superintendent of Police Gundala Reddy Raghavendra stated that during questioning, the suspects revealed that they had sourced the cough syrups from Jagannathpur in the neighboring state of Jharkhand, intending to distribute them illegally. A case has been filed under the NDPS Act, and investigations are ongoing to uncover the origins of the contraband, trace the interstate distribution network, determine the intended destination, and apprehend additional individuals linked to the operation.
