Bargarh: Bargarh Town Police on Saturday arrested three persons and seized a substantial quantity of codeine-laced cough syrup and sedative tablets during an early morning raid near Bisipada Chhak in Bargarh district.
The arrested persons have been identified as Uttam Sindria (26), Ritik Gartia (22), and Rohit Gartia (26), all residents of Bargarh district.
Acting on specific intelligence inputs, a team led by Sub-Inspector Alok Kumar Mahalik conducted the operation around 5 am in an area under the jurisdiction of the Town Police Station. The seizure was made in the presence of an executive magistrate and a government witness, resulting in the recovery of 1,970 sealed bottles of banned cough syrup and 1,000 sedative tablets (10 packets).
In addition, the police also seized a Royal Enfield Bullet motorcycle, a Honda Aviator scooter, and two Realme mobile phones.
“All three accused were misusing pharmaceutical drugs for intoxicating purposes and were involved in their illegal transportation and sale,” said Additional Superintendent of Police Indulekha Paschima Kabata while addressing the media.
“All necessary legal formalities under the NDPS Act were duly followed. The accused have been taken into custody and will be forwarded to the Hon’ble Court. Further investigation is underway to trace the origin of the contraband and uncover the broader network involved in the illicit drug trade,” the press release stated.
