Police in Subarnapur district seized cough syrup worth nearly Rs 20 lakh after intercepting a pickup truck loaded with soft drink crates near the Sadar block square.
Officers stopped the vehicle on suspicion and discovered 150 packets containing 3,750 bottles of cough syrup hidden inside.
Authorities detained two individuals linked to the vehicle. The seizure took place in the presence of a magistrate, who supervised the counting process. Investigators revealed that the consignment originated from Cuttack and was headed toward Bargarh and Bolangir districts.
Police said the cough syrup was concealed inside soft drink cartons to avoid detection. The seizure highlights the growing concern over the illegal trafficking of pharmaceutical substances across Odisha.
Local residents expressed worry about the increasing misuse of cough syrup in the region. They urged the administration to intensify checks on highways and transport routes to curb such activities.
