13,000 bottles of codeine-based syrup worth Rs 1.6 crore seized in UP's Mirzapur; one held

The Uttar Pradesh Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) has arrested an alleged drug trafficker here and seized more than 13,000 bottles of illegal codeine-based cough syrup worth around Rs 1.6 crore, officials said on Wednesday.

The accused, identified as Ajay Kumar Yadav alias Ajit, a resident of Varanasi, was arrested by the ANTF's Lucknow unit from Lohandi Road in Katra police station area of Mirzapur on Tuesday, they said.

According to the ANTF, a total of 13,074 bottles of codeine-based ONEREX cough syrup, amounting to 1,307.4 litres, were recovered from the possession of the accused. Police also seized a four-wheeler, a motorcycle, an iPhone and Rs 450 in cash.

Officials said a case has been registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act at Katra police station and further legal proceedings are underway.

During questioning, the accused told investigators that he and his associates had been involved in trafficking narcotic substances for a long time and was delivering the consignment for monetary gains, police said.

The ANTF said it is investigating the forward and backward linkages of the racket and efforts are underway to identify other persons involved in the network.

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