Man arrested in Jashpur for smuggling 640 bottles of banned codeine syrup
Jashpur | Correspondent: Police in Jashpur, Chhattisgarh, arrested a man on Wednesday evening who was transporting a large consignment of banned codeine-based cough syrup on a motorcycle from Odisha.
According to police sources, the accused has been identified as Mohit Kumar Gupta, a resident of Surangpani village. He had been active in this illegal trade for a long time, selling the narcotic syrup without a doctor's prescription. Acting on a tip-off, the police set up a roadblock near Lakhjhar Ghat.
A motorcycle without a number plate, coming from the direction of Farsatoli, was stopped and searched. Two sacks containing 320 bottles of Viscorex Codeine Phosphate cough syrup were found. During questioning, the accused revealed the location of an additional consignment hidden in the forest, from where two more cartons containing 320 bottles were recovered.
A total of 640 bottles (64,000 ml) were seized, with an estimated market value of approximately Rs. 1,11,000.
The police also seized the accused's motorcycle and mobile phone. A case has been registered against him under Section 21(c) of the NDPS Act, and he has been sent to judicial custody.
It is noteworthy that this is a prescription-based medication, primarily used to treat dry coughs. The codeine it contains is an opioid substance that affects the cough control center in the brain. Due to its addictive nature, its sale or use without a doctor's prescription is strictly prohibited.
