Illegal diversion of codeine cough syrups busted in Hyderabad, 3 arrested
Telangana: In a special joint operation, the Prohibition and Excise Department, in coordination with the Drugs Control Administration, Telangana, successfully busted an illegal network involved in the diversion and sale of Codeine-based cough syrups for abuse in Hyderabad.
The operation began with the Prohibition and Excise Enforcement, Ranga Reddy, detecting a case involving illegal possession of dry ganja weighing (1.050) kg from two individuals, namely Vaibhav Kulakarni and Manupati Bhanu Prakash, at Ramanthapur. During the interrogation, the accused revealed information pertaining to the sale of Codeine Phosphate Syrup by a woman in the Lalapet area of Secunderabad.
Acting on this intelligence, a route watch was conducted near Moulali Bridge, where the officers intercepted a woman carrying (13) bottles of Codeine phosphate syrup on a two-wheeler, intended for delivery to an unknown person.
The woman, identified as Nalla Rajini, failed to produce a valid drug licence or medical prescription for the possession of the said quantity.
Upon questioning, she confessed to procuring the drug from Generic World Medical Shop, located at H. No.:1-9-669/D, Shop No:1 ,Ground Floor,Vidyanagar Hyderabad.
Drugs Control Administration Officers along with Prohibition and Excise Officers conducted a decoy operation at the said pharmacy. During this operation, the vendor sold (03) bottles of Codeine syrup without issuing a bill or obtaining a valid prescription.
Drugs Control Administration officers, inspected Generic World Medical Shop, Vidyanagar and found (80) bottles of Codeine phosphate syrup in stock.
The inspection revealed grave irregularities including the sale of Codeine-based Cough Syrups without prescription of a Registered Medical Practitioner, failure to maintain sales records as mandated under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act and Rules.
Further investigation revealed that the syrups had been procured from Himalaya Pharma, located at H No. 8-7-131/4/A, Shop No. 16, 17, 18, and 19, Ground Floor, Ghori Nagar Colony, Old Bowenpally, Balanagar Mandal, Medchal-Malkajgiri District, which is operated by a relative of the licensee of Generic World Medical Shop.
The Drugs Control Administration team, along with the Prohibition and Excise Enforcement team, raided Himalaya Pharma, Old Bowenpally and recovered documents confirming the sale of the said 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.
Accordingly, the following persons have been apprehended in connection with the case:
 A1: Nalla Rajini – Woman found in illegal possession of Codeine phosphate syrup.
 A2: Anmol Kumar Singhal – Licensee of Generic World Medical Shop, Vidyanagar.
 A3: Dinesh Kumar Goyal – Licensee of Himalaya Pharma, Ghori Nagar, Old Bowenpally.
In light of the serious violations observed, the Drugs Licences of medical shops Generic World, Vidyanagar and Himalaya Pharma, Old Bowenpally have been cancelled by the Drugs Control Administration, Telangana, in accordance with the provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.
Case has been registered with COR No. 32/2025 under Section 8(c) r/w Section 20(b) of the NDPS Act at Malakjgiri Prohibition & Excise Station against the accused. Further investigation shall be carried out and action shall be taken as per the law against all the offenders.
Officers who participated in the raids from Prohibition and Excise Department are Sri. J. Jeevan Kiran, Assistant Excise Superintendent, Prohibition & Excise Enforcement, Ranga Reddy, Sri. Bala Raju, Prohibition & Excise Inspector, Enforcement, Ranga Reddy, Sri. Ravi Challa, Prohibition & Excise Sub-Inspector, Enforcement, Ranga Reddy and staff. Officers from the Drugs Control Administration are Smt. D. Saritha, Assistant Director, Secunderabad, Dr. K. Prabhakar, Assistant Director, Quthbullapur, Sri. B. Govind Singh, Drugs Inspector, Secunderabad, Smt. P. Renuka, Drugs Inspector, Musheerabad, Sri. E. Thirupathi, Drugs Inspector, Quthbullapur, Sri. E. Naresh Reddy, Drugs Inspector, Balanagar, Sri. I. Srikanth, Drugs Inspector, Gajularamaram.
Unauthorized diversion for abuse and illegal sale of Narcotic Drugs are punishable under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985. The abuse of Narcotic Drugs poses significant health risks. Addiction to Narcotic Drugs is highly dangerous, leading to physical dependence, tolerance, slow breathing, respiratory depression, and severe drowsiness. This addiction carries a high risk of coma and death due to respiratory depression and overdose.
Overdose, a potentially fatal outcome, occurs when the body is overwhelmed by the quantity of drugs consumed, leading to life-threatening consequences. Stringent action shall be taken in cases of illegal activities involving Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances.
Next Story