In a major crackdown on the illicit trafficking of habit-forming drugs through courier networks, the Baddi police recalled and seized a consignment of 65,357 alprazolam tablets that was being transported to Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh.
The tablets were allegedly manufactured illegally at Jaina Vision, a Baddi-based unit licensed by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to manufacture food products. A joint raid conducted by officials of the Drugs Control Administration and the police at Salasar Complex in Baddi on May 8 had exposed the alleged drug manufacturing racket.
Following the raid, the police registered an FIR under various provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act after recovering a large quantity of restricted drugs. Three persons were arrested in connection with the case.
During the initial operation, the police seized 1,61,920 tramadol tablets and 61,164 alprazolam tablets from the accused. Subsequent investigation and interrogation led investigators to an interstate drug supply network.
“The investigation revealed that the accused had dispatched a consignment of narcotic drugs through a transport courier to Nagrota Bagwan in Kangra district. Acting swiftly, the Baddi police intercepted and recalled the consignment on May 17, leading to the recovery of 3,290 pregabalin capsules,” said Ashok Verma, Additional SP, Baddi.
Further investigation revealed that another large consignment had been dispatched through a transport courier to Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh. Acting on the information, the police traced, intercepted and recalled the shipment, recovering an additional 65,357 alprazolam tablets yesterday.
With the latest seizure, the total recovery in the case has risen to 2,91,731 restricted pharmaceutical drugs, comprising 1,26,521 alprazolam tablets, 1,61,920 tramadol tablets and 3,290 pregabalin capsules.
Verma said the police were also scrutinising financial transactions linked to the racket to identify other individuals, networks and beneficiaries involved in the illegal trade.
The case has highlighted how the unauthorised manufacture of habit-forming drugs continues despite stringent legal provisions. It has also brought into focus an alleged multi-layered network involving illegal manufacturers, traders and quacks, with courier companies allegedly being used as transportation channels for the supply of illicit medicines from Baddi, one of the country’s largest pharmaceutical hubs.
