Bahraich: Security personnel seized 1,275 bottles of suspected codeine-based cough syrup in Uttar Pradesh’s Bahraich district and arrested a 23-year-old man over the alleged smuggling attempt, officials said on Wednesday.
The seizure was made near the Kewalpur underpass in the Rupaidiha area on Tuesday evening during a joint operation by the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) and Uttar Pradesh Police.
Girish Chandra Pandey, Commandant of the SSB’s 42nd Battalion, said the accused, identified as Fazle Ilahi alias Nihal, allegedly attempted to flee when personnel intercepted the car but was caught.
How Was The Codeine Cough Syrup Consignment Seized?
According to the SSB official, the consignment consisted of 1,275 bottles, each containing 100 ml of syrup, packed into 10 cartons.
The bottles reportedly did not carry the manufacturer’s name, and the driver could not produce the required documents for transporting the consignment.
The accused and the seized bottles were subsequently handed over to Rupaidiha police for further legal action and investigation.
Was The Cough Syrup Being Smuggled Into Nepal?
During questioning, the accused allegedly told investigators that he was supposed to hand over the consignment to an unidentified person for onward transportation to Nepal, Pandey said.
The intended recipient has not been identified publicly. Investigators are examining the suspected supply chain to establish where the syrup originated, who arranged its transportation and whether other people were involved.
The alleged Nepal connection remains part of the investigation and has not been independently established as a completed cross-border smuggling operation.
What Happens Next In The Bahraich Case?
The investigation is underway to trace the source of the consignment and identify others who may have been involved in its movement.
The seizure took place in Rupaidiha, a border area near Nepal, during a joint operation by the SSB and UP Police. Authorities have not yet disclosed further details about the supply chain or the intended recipient.
The legal status of the seized product and the precise nature of the alleged offence will depend on the findings of the ongoing investigation.
