In a significant crackdown on substance abuse, Balangir police intercepted a vehicle near Smart Park on the Balangir-Titilagarh road late on Saturday night and arrested five individuals for allegedly trafficking banned cough syrup. The operation led to the seizure of 880 bottles of the addictive syrup, which was being transported without valid documentation. The arrests were made under the limits of the Town police station.
Accused Identified
The accused have been identified as Bidyadhar Sahoo (20), Ankit Patel (19), Bishes Jena (19), and Priyanshu Nanda (19), all residents of Balangir, along with Suresh Kumar Sahoo (19) of Cuttack. Notably, Bidyadhar Sahoo has a prior criminal record, including past charges related to drug peddling and illegal trade. The authorities revealed on Sunday that the accused had attempted to flee in two separate vehicles coming from Rajibnagar towards Smart Park, but the police managed to stop the cars and apprehend the occupants. In addition to the contraband, police recovered five mobile phones and impounded the vehicle used in the crime.
Details of the Raid
According to Saroj Kumar Upadhyaya, Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) of Balangir, the raid was executed based on specific intelligence inputs. “The Town Inspector In-Charge and his team acted promptly to intercept the vehicles suspected of carrying contraband,” he said. Following the tip-off, a patrolling team from the town police station set up a checkpoint and stopped the suspicious car. During a thorough search, police discovered the consignment of Eskuf brand cough syrup containing Codeine, a substance commonly abused as a narcotic substitute. The estimated market value of the seized stock is approximately ₹1.97 lakhs.
Police Investigation
“This is a significant breakthrough in our drive against substance abuse. The tip-off proved crucial, and we are investigating the supply chain, including who was to receive the consignment,” Upadhyaya added. A case has been registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, and further interrogation is underway to uncover the wider network involved in this illegal trade.
The police operation highlights the ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking in the region. Authorities are now focusing on tracing the source of the cough syrup and identifying other members of the syndicate. The accused are currently in custody and will be produced before the court for further legal proceedings.
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About the Author
Avinash Mohanty
A keen observer of western Odisha issues, Avinash Mohanty writes from Balangir. His focus areas include distressed migration and regional imbalance.
