Subarnapur: In a major crackdown, Rampur police on Sunday seized 1,500 bottles of codeine-based cough syrup from a private bus at Rampur village under Dunguripali block. Three people have been detained in connection with the case.
The detainees have been identified as Umesh Sahoo, a resident of Kandhumunda village in Bargarh district; Ambit Naik of Balangir district; and Ashish Barge from the Gaisilet area. Police are currently interrogating them to trace the source and distribution network of the contraband.
According to police, the private bus, named ‘Alok,’ had departed from Bhubaneswar and was en route to Dunguripali via Subarnapur and Binka. The police stopped the vehicle near Rampur Women’s College on suspicion. During the search, five packets containing a total of 1,500 bottles of codeine-based cough syrup were recovered in the presence of a magistrate.
Police said the operation was part of ongoing efforts to curb the illegal distribution of codeine-based medicines in the region. Further investigation is underway to identify suppliers and buyers linked to the seized consignment.
