In a significant operation, law enforcement in Jharsuguda district, Odisha, detained two suspects who were found in possession of prohibited cough syrup valued at ₹1 crore. On Tuesday, officials reported that the arrests occurred after police received a tip-off regarding the illegal shipment.

On Monday, a police team intercepted a truck near Tumbekela in Badmal, where they discovered 197 cartons filled with the banned syrup. The shipment consisted of 23,640 bottles, each containing 100 ml of syrup made with codeine phosphate and triprolidine hydrochloride, amounting to a total of 2,364 litres seized.

The individuals arrested were identified as 38-year-old Mohammad Ahsan Ahmed from Bihar and 28-year-old Rijwan Ansari from West Bengal. Additionally, authorities confiscated the truck and ₹2.44 lakh in cash during the operation.

Jharsuguda Superintendent of Police Gundala Reddy Raghavendra stated that during questioning, the suspects revealed that the syrup had been sourced from Jagannathpur in the neighboring state of Jharkhand and was en route for unlawful distribution in Odisha.

A case has been filed under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, and efforts are ongoing to investigate the origin of the illicit goods, uncover the interstate supply chain, determine the intended recipients, and apprehend other individuals involved in the operation.