In two seperate investigations aimed against interstate drug-trafficking networks, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Mumbai, confiscated a significant amount of prescription-based opioid medications and charas, leading to the arrest of two individuals, according to officials. On August 8, NCB Mumbai arrested N Shaikh in Mumbai after seizing 1,080 bottles of 108 kg of Codeine-Based Cough Syrup (CBCS).
According to officials, there were plans to distribute the drugs in Mumbai, Bhiwandi, and surrounding areas. The drugs were allegedly being transported aboard a passenger bus that travels between Gujarat and Mumbai.
Investigators discovered a distributor headquartered in Gujarat during questioning. The distributor and his godown in Vadodara were later located by an NCB squad that carried out intensive surveillance in Gujarat. They said that an additional 13,938 CBCS bottles and 12,240 Tramadol tablets were found.
Additionally, investigators discovered that batch numbers on a number of CBCS bottles had been altered, purportedly to hide the medications’ diversion. Additionally confiscated were fictitious invoices and other papers that were allegedly used to divert prescription drugs containing narcotics.
The NCB claims that N Shaikh, who mostly worked in the Thane district’s Bhiwandi area, was earlier detained by Maharashtra Police in a different NDPS case. According to reports, the Gujarat-based distributor is also wanted in police-registered NDPS cases.
In a different operation on August 12, NCB Mumbai arrested A J Shaikh and found 1.060 kg of charas during a house search in Ghatkopar. According to officials, the charas was allegedly hidden among home items and purchased for future sale in Mumbai and the surrounding areas.
Investigators discovered during questioning that the accused and his associates had reportedly attempted to sell the medicine at higher costs in order to take advantage of the decreased supply of charas before the holiday season.
Numerous other associates have been identified, according to the NCB, and attempts are being made to locate and capture them.
The organization pointed out that although codeine-based medications and tramadol have valid medical applications, abusing or using them without a prescription can have detrimental effects on one’s health, including dependence and potentially fatal side effects. Long-term use of Charas, a medication derived from cannabis that contains THC, can similarly negatively impact memory and cognitive abilities.
Both cases are still being investigated. According to the NCB, the consecutive operations highlight its efforts to target repeat criminals involved in the drug trade and disrupt organized drug-trafficking networks.
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