Sambalpur, March 25: In a pre-Holi operation, the police have dismantled an illegal cough syrup syndicate, leading to the arrest of 26 individuals in Sambalpur, Odisha. According to police reports, a truck transporting cough syrup bottles from West Bengal to Sambalpur, Bargarh, and Sonepur was intercepted by a team from Sambalpur Sadar police station.

Upon inspection, the police discovered 10,800 cough syrup bottles inside the truck. As the occupants, including the driver, failed to produce the necessary documents, the police seized the bottles.

Subsequent investigations revealed the involvement of 26 individuals in the illicit procurement and distribution of cough syrup from outside the state to various districts in western Odisha, stated Sambalpur SP Mukesh Kumar Bhamoo during a media briefing. 

In addition to the arrests, authorities seized an autorickshaw, a Scooty, a Royal Enfield bike, 12 mobile phones, and Rs 20,000 in cash from the accused individuals.

Several of the arrested individuals have a history of criminal activities. Notably, Sushanta Nag, with four criminal cases against him in Bargarh Town police station, is among the apprehended. Others include Manish Sahu, Suman Ranbira, Shyam Tandi, Santkirtan Munda, and Abdul Kadir, who were previously arrested in cough syrup smuggling cases and are currently out on bail, as per the SP's statement.

Powered by Froala Editor