Purnia: In a major crackdown on narcotics smuggling, the Dangraha Outpost (OP) police in Bihar’s Purnia district have seized 4,000 litres of banned codeine-based cough syrup hidden inside sacks of flattened rice (chura) from a truck. The driver, identified as Mohammed Aman (31), a resident of Malegaon in Maharashtra’s Nashik district, was arrested on the spot.
According to Superintendent of Police Sweety Sahrawat, the bust was made following a specific intelligence input that a large consignment of banned cough syrup was being transported from Dhanbad to Siliguri via Dalkola.
“Acting on the information, a special team led by Baisi SDPO was formed and vehicle checks were intensified near Daulatpur,” SP Sahrawat said. “A truck bearing Jharkhand registration number JH 09 BJ 2835 was intercepted. The driver claimed it was carrying chura, but a thorough search revealed 40,000 bottles of syrup, each of 100 ml, containing codeine, a controlled substance. The estimated market value is over ₹1 crore.”
The syrup bottles were cleverly concealed in sacks of chura to mislead authorities during routine checks.
In addition to the drug consignment, police recovered two mobile phones, ₹11,000 in cash, an Aadhaar card, PAN card, and driving licence from the accused.
Smuggling Network Under Scanner
During interrogation, the arrested driver reportedly revealed the names of several accomplices involved in the smuggling racket. SP Sahrawat confirmed that raids are currently underway to apprehend the remaining suspects.
The operation was carried out by a joint team comprising Baisi SHO Sanjeev Kumar, Dangraha OP in-charge Parmanand Paswan, PTC officers Ravi Ranjan Kumar and Munna Prasad, and personnel from the District Intelligence Unit.
Authorities believe this seizure is part of a larger inter-state smuggling network. Further investigation is ongoing.
