On the instructions of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, a massive campaign against illegal drug trade has started in UP. Raids, arrests and cases were registered under NDPS Act in many districts including Lucknow, Bahraich, Sitapur.
Lucknow. Following the strict instructions of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the Uttar Pradesh government has now started a major action against the illegal trade of narcotics medicines. After taking action against adulterated food items like before, the government has now tightened its grip on illegal buying, selling, distribution and storage of codeine cough syrup and other intoxicants.
Following the instructions issued by the Commissioner, Food Safety and Drugs Administration, Uttar Pradesh, the enforcement teams of the department have conducted extensive raids and seizure operations across the state. A large quantity of illegal drugs were seized, several arrests were made and cases were registered under the NDPS Act.
Focus on interstate and international networks
Commissioner Dr. Roshan Jacob said that as per the instructions of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, equal strictness is being taken against both adulteration and supply of drugs. To stop misuse and illegal distribution of codeine based medicines, raids are being conducted continuously in many districts of the state.
Preliminary investigation has revealed that the supply of these medicines is not limited to local markets only, but there is also a possibility of reaching Bangladesh through Punjab, Delhi, and Assam route. That means this network can be active not only at the interstate but also at the international level.
Investigation from manufacturing to retail level
Dr. Jacob said that the investigation now extends to the entire supply chain – from the manufacturing unit to the retail store. Production quotas and licenses issued by the Narcotics Bureau are also being scrutinized.
The records of manufacturing units, stockists, distributors, wholesalers and retailers are all being thoroughly scrutinized. He said that action under the Drug Act alone is not enough. In such cases, joint operation with other enforcement agencies including NDPS Act is necessary.
Large scale action in Lucknow
Illegal medicines worth ₹3 lakh were recovered from the house of a person named Deepak Manwani in Lucknow. The accused was arrested under sections 8, 21, 22 of the NDPS Act, 1985. Apart from this M/s Arpik Pharmaceuticals Pvt. Ltd. And M/s Idhika Lifesciences Pvt. Ltd. Raids were also conducted on its warehouses. Tramadol capsules were seized from the house of Piyush Medical Agency in Lakhimpur Kheri. Illicit medicines worth ₹30,000 were recovered in raids at Royal Pharma and Mamta Medical Agency in Bahraich and two people were arrested.
FIR and license suspension on irregularities
A case was registered against Shivam Kumar, the operator of Naimish Medical Store in Sitapur, under sections 318 (1) and 335 of the Indian Code of Justice (BNS). Action was also taken against Ajay Pharma of Rae Bareli and Shree Shyam Pharma and Vinod Pharma of Lucknow-Sultanpur due to irregularities.
The sale of codeine cough syrup and narcotic medicines has been banned at medical stores in many districts including Lucknow, Kanpur, Varanasi, Balrampur and Ghaziabad. A temporary ban has been imposed on Shree Shyam Pharma of Lucknow, Aggarwal Brothers of Kanpur, Ma Durga Medicos, RS Healthcare etc. under Section 22(1)(d) of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act.
Special surveillance on border districts
Intensive investigation of suspicious medical stores is going on in Bahraich, Lakhimpur Kheri, Maharajganj bordering Nepal as well as in the districts bordering Delhi, Haryana and Punjab – Ghaziabad, Noida, Meerut, Saharanpur – so that drug smuggling can be stopped.
Sample testing campaign for the safety of children
Vigilance has also been increased in Uttar Pradesh after incidents with children in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. 913 cough syrup samples have been taken from across the state for testing. So far, reports of 63 samples have come, all of which have been found satisfactory. Testing of remaining samples is continuing on priority.
Dr. Jacob has instructed all the drug inspectors to continuously check the purchase, sale and storage of codeine cough syrup and narcotics medicines. If any irregularities are found at any level, strict action should be taken immediately.
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