The Special Task Force (STF) of the Madhya Pradesh Police uncovered an organized illegal narcotic cough syrup network in Bhopal. The raid at Dobra Patel City Colony led to the seizure of approximately 75,000 bottles of banned syrup worth around Rs 1.5 crore. The operation lasted for three hours from Thursday midnight to early Friday morning.
Officials revealed that the accused were involved in manufacturing and repackaging intoxicating cough syrup inside a house to avoid detection. Ten individuals, including three minors, were detained during the raid. STF teams also confiscated over 700 cartons, bottles, packaging material, and machinery used in the illegal operation.
STF chief Rahul Kumar Lodha confirmed the long-standing activity of the racket, with supplies distributed to various locations. The network operated systematically, altering wrappers and labels on bottles before circulating them in Bhopal and nearby rural areas. The raid was executed based on specific intelligence inputs received over recent weeks.
Samples of the seized cough syrup bottles have been sent for testing to determine their chemical composition. Preliminary information suggests that a single bottle was being sold for nearly Rs 200 in the illegal market. Investigators are now working to identify the ownership details and other individuals associated with the network.
Lodha emphasized the focus on tracing the complete supply chain and financial links behind the illegal operation. The arrested individuals were presented before a court and remanded for further interrogation. The ongoing investigation aims to uncover the source of raw materials, distribution channels, and all individuals connected to the racket.
