Sambalpur police arrested 20 individuals and seized 5,100 bottles of banned Corex cough syrup in a major anti-drug operation ahead of the festive season.
Acting on a tip-off, Bareipali IIC Radhakanta Barik led a raid near Mesinkata Chowk on October 13 around 2:30 PM. The team intercepted a four-wheeler transporting the contraband from Cuttack to Sambalpur. Police recovered ₹40,000 in cash, mobile phones, and the vehicle used in the smuggling.
Initial arrests included Lokesh Pradhan, Mahendra Kisan, Prabhat Bhoi, Amod Karali, and Manish Singh. Based on their interrogation, police apprehended 15 more accused involved in distribution and sale. The extended list includes Trinath Behera, Sheikh Firoz, Pitabas Sahu, Satyam Nag, Pintu Suna, Ravi Das, Satyam Swain, Durga Deep, Basant Guru, Sudarsan Rout, Hasan Raja, Papi Bibhar, Aman Deep, and Anil Yadav.
SP Mukesh Kumar Bhamu confirmed the seizure and arrests during a press briefing. He stated that the group planned to sell the cough syrup during the festive rush in Sambalpur. The contraband originated from Kolkata and Raipur, routed through Cuttack before reaching Sambalpur.
Police registered a case under the NDPS Act and launched further investigations to trace the kingpins behind the smuggling network. Despite previous crackdowns, the main suppliers remain elusive.
The operation marks another milestone in Sambalpur police’s ongoing battle against drug trafficking. Authorities vowed to intensify surveillance and dismantle the remaining links in the supply chain.
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