In a major crackdown on illegal narcotics, Sundergarh Town Police arrested four individuals for smuggling and selling codeine-based cough syrup to local youths near the Sundergarh Truck Owners’ Association office.
The accused — Hemant of Lephripara, Dharani Bagarti of Khamarbahal village, and Jitendra Kishan and Jambeswar, both from Ujalpur — were produced in court on Monday.
Acting on an intelligence tip-off, police intercepted a Bolero vehicle suspected of transporting banned substances. A joint team comprising the Town Police and patrolling units searched near the Truck Owners’ Association premises, recovering 235 bottles of codeine phosphate-based cough syrup (100 ml each). This syrup, commonly abused as an intoxicant, is legally meant only for therapeutic use with a valid medical prescription.
“The syrup was being sold illegally to local youth at Rs 300 per bottle, procured for just Rs 75,” said Sundergarh SDPO Nirmal Kumar Mohapatra.
Along with the syrup, police seized the vehicle used for transportation, Rs 46,754 in cash, and four mobile phones. The operation took place in the presence of an Executive Magistrate.
A case has been registered under Sections 21(c), 25, and 29 of the NDPS Act at Sundergarh Town Police Station, and investigations continue.
This action is part of ‘Operation Prahar,’ a statewide campaign against drug trafficking, with Odisha Police adopting a zero-tolerance stance against narcotics.
