Bargarh Town Police Station successfully busted an illegal cough syrup smuggling operation on Friday, seizing a large consignment near Katapali Canal Road.
Police arrested two individuals, Surjal Nag (20) and Secreti Chaudhary (29), both from Bargarh city. Authorities confiscated 2,700 bottles of cough syrup, two scooties, and a mobile phone. However, several other accused, along with the pickup van used in the smuggling, managed to escape. A massive manhunt is currently underway to apprehend the absconders.
This bust adds to the state police's ongoing campaign against drug-laced cough syrup, where 61 cases have been registered, leading to the seizure of 73,181 bottles and the arrest of 181 people statewide. Bargarh district alone accounts for 17 cases and 64 arrests.
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