Nuapada: In what could be just the tip of an iceberg, the Komna police claims to have busted a cough syrup smuggling racket in the district. Two persons have also been arrested and court forwarded in this connection, police said.
Acting on a tip-off about illegal cough syrup (Corex) smuggling in the town, a team of police conducted a raid at a snack stall in bus stand that belongs to one Abadhuta Sahu and seized 30 bottles of illegal cough syrup during the raid.
Following an interrogation with Sahu, the cops raided the house of one Kumuda Rana and arrested him for his involvement in the illegal drugs trade.
Police informed that the duo was arrested and court forwarded while further investigation is on to find if there are other persons involved in the trade.
"Cases have been registered against them under 21 Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, and 27 Drugs and Cosmetics Act. The duo has been forwarded to the court,” said Nuapada DSP (Deputy Superintendent of Police) Swastik Panda.
"As per the direction of SP, a special team would be engaged to establish whether they were operating independently or have links with any national or international racket,” he added.
According to senior officials, cough syrups are considered as a medicine only when used for therapeutic purposes. However, there have been reports that a few syrups are being used as a psychotropic drug. The reason behind the demand for the cough syrup is its high Codeine content which is consumed by addicts.