By TIOL News Service

NEW DELHI, SEPT 12, 2017: THE Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has launched a major offensive against smuggling of coughs syrups being illegally exported to Bangladesh with seizure of 1,16,600 bottles of cough linctus containing codeine phosphate cumulatively valued at about Rs 1.76 Crores, in two separate but linked seizures, effected on two subsequent days recently.

With these two back to back seizures, DRI has busted a major racket engaged in smuggling of Cough syrups into North East India from Mainland India (Uttar Pradesh, Jammu & Madhya Pradesh). Cough Syrups are being brought into this region for illegal export to Bangladesh, where it sells like hot cake, with the sole purpose of intoxication. It is also abused in the North Eastern region. This is because these cough syrups contain codeine phosphate, which is a derivative of Opium. As such, the value of Cough Linctus containing codeine phosphate in the contraband market is almost three to four times the MRP.

Acting on an intelligence developed by it, the DRI with the assistance of officers of B.S.F, Tripura intercepted a Tata Truck bearing Registration No. JK 02A W 4867 at NH 44 near CRPF Jeolcherra camp on 07.09.2017 and recovered 53,600 bottles of Phensedyl Cough Linctus containing Codeine Phosphate, which were concealed under 90 bags of Atta (Wheat Flour) in the truck. As the Phensedyl Cough Linctus bottles were being transported without any licit supporting documents, they were seized under the provisions of NDPS Act, 1985 alongwith the Atta and carrier vehicle by DRI, on 07.09.2017. The total seizure value of the case is around Rs. 81.33 lakhs (Rupees Eighty one lakhs thirty three thousand).

Subsequently, as a part of the same operation launched by the DRI to combat this modus-opernadi, DRI with the assistance of the officers of BSF yet again on 08.09.2017, intercepted another Truck bearing Registration No. WB-11C 6924 at NH 44 i.e. Silchar-Agartala Road and recovered 40,500 bottles of Phensedyl Cough Linctus and 22,400 bottles of ESKUF Cough Syrup containing Codeine Phosphate, which were concealed under 105 bags of Potatoes in the truck. As the cough syrup bottles were being transported without any licit supporting documents they were seized under the provisions of NDPS Act, 1985 along with Potatoes and carrier vehicle by DRI. The total seizure value of the case has been ascertained at Rs. 94,35,150 lakhs (Rupees Ninety Four Lakhs Thirty Five Thousand One Hundred and Fifty) only. A total of two persons, i.e. the Driver and Co-Driver have been apprehended in these cases.

The traffickers of codeine containing cough syrup are an organized cartel and it is expected that these cases shall have a deterrent effect against the abuse and smuggling of Codeine Based Cough Syrup.

This is another instance of sharing of intelligence and successful joint operations conducted by DRI with the paramilitary forces, particularly the BSF.