Bargarh: In a major crackdown on illegal drug trafficking, Padmapur police in Bargarh district seized 7,920 bottles of illegal cough syrup valued at around ₹40 lakh and arrested two persons during a raid near Garbhati Chhak.
The operation conducted on Thursday evening as part of an ongoing investigation by Padmapur police, with Padmapur Tahasildar Manas Panda present during the raid.
According to police sources, officers intercepted a vehicle carrying the contraband and recovered 22 plastic sacks loaded with cough syrup. Each sack contained three cartons, while each carton held 120 bottles, taking the total seizure to 7,920 bottles.
Police also seized the vehicle used for transportation of the consignment, bearing registration number OD 02 DP 4745.
The arrested accused were identified as Manas Pandey (25), a resident of Jhankarpali village under Padmapur police station limits in Bargarh district, and Sarat Chandra Tunga (32), a resident of Saliasahi in Bhubaneswar under Nayapalli police station limits in Khordha district.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the illegal cough syrup consignment was being transported from Bhubaneswar to the Padmapur area when it was intercepted by the police.
A case has been registered against the accused, and further investigation is underway to ascertain the source of the contraband and identify other persons involved in the trafficking network, police said.
