Bargarh: In a major crackdown on the illegal trade of cough syrup, the Atabira police in Bargarh district seized 1,440 bottles of contraband cough syrup and arrested two persons allegedly involved in its smuggling.
Acting on a tip-off, a police team conducted a raid under the supervision of a magistrate near the Patrapali Shiva Temple area within Atabira police station limits. The police had laid a trap after receiving information that a large consignment of illegal cough syrup was being transported from Cuttack to Bargarh concealed inside the box compartment of a harvester vehicle.
When the vehicle reached the spot, police intercepted it and carried out a thorough search. During the operation, officers recovered 1,440 bottles of cough syrup, estimated to be worth several lakhs of rupees.
The police arrested two persons identified as Jitendra Mendali of Gurkhapali village and Niranjan Tripathy of Kutupali village. The harvester vehicle used for transporting the contraband was also seized.
Bargarh Superintendent of Police Rabindranath Satpathy said investigations are underway to trace the larger network behind the illegal trade. He stated that the main kingpin of the smuggling racket would be arrested soon and that authorities would initiate action to seize properties linked to the illegal operation.
Further investigation into the case is in progress.
