Network involved in illegal diversion of codeine-based cough syrups for abuse busted in Hyderabad

Hyderabad: A network involved in illegal diversion and sale of Codeine-based cough syrups for abuse has been busted in a joint operation taken-up by Telangana State Drug Control Administration (TSDCA) and Prohibition and Excise wing. Acting on a tip-off, the Prohibition and Excise and TSDCA teams undertook a route watch near Moulali bridge, where they […]

Hyderabad: A network involved in illegal diversion and sale of Codeine-based cough syrups for abuse has been busted in a joint operation taken-up by Telangana State Drug Control Administration (TSDCA) and Prohibition and Excise wing.

Acting on a tip-off, the Prohibition and Excise and TSDCA teams undertook a route watch near Moulali bridge, where they intercepted a woman Nalla Rajini carrying 13 bottles of Codeine phosphate syrup on a two-wheeler, intended for delivery to an unknown person.

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On questioning, Nalla Rajini failed to produce a valid drug license/ medical prescription for the possession of the cough syrups. She confessed to procuring the drug from Generic World Medical Shop at Vidyanagar, the TSDCA and Prohibition and Excise Wing authorities in a press release said.

The investigating teams conducted a decoy operation at the generic medical shop, Vidyanagar where the vendor sold 3 bottles of Codeine syrup without issuing a bill or obtaining a valid prescription. The investigating teams also seized 80 bottles of Codeine phosphate syrup in stock and reported grave irregularities including sale of Codeine-based Cough syrups without prescription from a doctor and failure to maintain sales records as mandated under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act and Rules.

Investigation revealed that the syrups were procured from Himalaya Pharma, Ghori Nagar Colony, Old Bowenpally, Balanagar, being operated by a relative of the licensee of Generic World Medical Shop.

Subsequently, investigating teams raided Himalaya Pharma at old Bowenpally and recovered documents confirming the sale of the syrups to Generic World Medical Shop. Irregularities were also found in the operation of Himalaya Pharma, including the sale of Codeine-based cough syrups without prescription and failure to maintain proper sales records regarding 80 bottles of Codeine Cough Syrups.

The teams apprehended Nalla Rajini, Anmol Kumar Singhal, licensee of Generic World Medical Shop, Vidyanagar and Dinesh Kumar Goyal, licensee of Himalaya Pharma, Ghori Nagar, Old Bowenpally. In light of the serious violations observed, the drugs licenses of the medical shops Generic World and Himalaya Pharma have been cancelled by the TSDCA.

Case has been registered under relevant sections of the NDPS Act at Malkajgiri Prohibition and Excise Station against the accused. Further investigation shall be carried out and action shall be taken as per the law against all the offenders.