Bargarh police have taken a major hit to a cross‑state crime ring that trafficked illegal cough syrup and firearms. The bust, led by Superintendent of Police Prahalad Sahai Meena, began after reliable intelligence linked a network of smugglers with the sale of codeine‑laden cough syrup and illegal weapons across Odisha and neighboring states.
The operation deployed seven teams drawn from Attabira, Rural, Sadar, Town, Bijepur police stations, and the Special Squad. Officers carried out coordinated raids at multiple sites throughout Bargarh district. They arrested 15 suspects – three from Chhattisgarh and the rest from Bargarh, Balangir, Jagatsinghpur, Jajpur and Kendrapara.
At the raid sites the police seized:
* 1,500 bottles of Eskuf cough syrup (100 ml each)
* five country‑made pistols with magazines
* 20 rounds of live ammunition and three empty cartridge cases
* 16 mobile phones, five four‑wheelers, and Rs 57,200 in cash
The seized cough syrup is especially dangerous because it contains codeine, an opioid that can lead to addiction. Law enforcement has repeatedly uncovered the underground network that funnels the syrup into the country.
Earlier this year, a joint operation by Odisha’s Special Task Force and the Drugs Control Department seized cough syrup worth over Rs 1 crore. The current Bargarh raid is part of a wider effort to dismantle the interstate gang, trace its suppliers and break its distribution routes.
Police officials say investigations will continue as they pursue the full extent of the criminal network. The crackdown underscores Odisha’s commitment to tackling drug trafficking and arms smuggling that threaten public safety.
Source: ianslive
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