Gujarat: 387 codeine cough syrup bottles seized in Ahmedabad; one arrested

Ahmedabad, Aug 24 (IANS) The Ahmedabad City Police have arrested a 32-year-old man after allegedly recovering 387 bottles of codeine-based cough syrup from his possession in the Vasna area, with the total value of the seized property estimated at Rs 1.51 lakh, officials said on Monday.

The seizure was made on August 22 as part of the city police’s “No Drug in City” campaign, which focuses on monitoring the sale and movement of narcotic and intoxicating substances.

Police said the operation followed a tip-off received by Head Constable Vikrambhai Narubhai while a team led by Police Sub-Inspector H.M. Gohil was patrolling the area around 9:50 p.m.

According to officials, the informer told police that Shahnawaz alias Shanu alias Delhi Mohammad Iliyas Ansari, a resident of Ronak Park Society behind the APMC Market in Vejalpur, was allegedly involved in the illegal sale of codeine-containing cough syrup.

He was reportedly carrying the bottles in an auto-rickshaw for sale near the lane of Garib Nawaz Hotel, close to Kuba Masjid in Guptanagar.

Police subsequently detained Ansari and seized 387 bottles of Triprolidine Hydrochloride and Codeine Phosphate cough syrup.

Each bottle was valued at Rs 261, taking the value of the syrup to Rs 1,01,007. One mobile phone and an auto-rickshaw were also seized by the police, the officials said.

The total value of the property recovered was Rs 1,51,507. Police registered a case at Vasna Police Station under Sections 8(c) and 21(c) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act.

The seizure comes amid increased scrutiny of the illegal movement of codeine-based cough syrup in Ahmedabad.

Earlier this month, the Ahmedabad Special Operations Group seized 5,050 bottles of codeine phosphate-based cough syrup from parcels at the city’s General Post Office and booked alleged members of an unlicensed supply chain under the NDPS Act.

Investigation is underway in the latest case.

–IANS

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