On 27th March 2023, based on Non-Bailable warrant of arrest & search warrant obtained from the honorable court, Zunheboto Police carried out a search & arrest operation at Mahadev Pharma in Dimapur which the Zunheboto Police had identified as the source of the drugs after interrogation of the accused persons in relation with Aghunato Police Station C/No.06/23 u/s 22 (c) NDPS Act & C/No.0/23 u/s 22 (c) NDPS Act. After the search operation on the identified premises, the alleged accused namely Manoj Barman s/o- Harinder Barman was arrested and the searched premises (Shop & Godown) in Dimapur, were sealed to preserve the evidence.
Further, in connection of Akuluto PS C/NO. 03/23 during further course of investigation SOT Zunheboto again seized Suspected Brown Sugar 11.63 (approx) Grams, from the possession of Viloto Muru, P/add- ‘B’ Khel colony Satakha Town also was arrested on 23/3/23.
Zunheboto Police, as part of continued operation “War on Drugs” on 23rd March, 2023, based on an intelligence input, conducted house raid at Inavi Colony, Aghunato Town and seized 730 Nos of Suspected Spasmo Proxyvon Capsule, 17 Nos of Cough Syrup and arrested three persons namely:- (1) :-(1) Atoka Achumi, S/O- Kavito Achumi, Age-45 Yr; (2) Atoba Kiho, Age-38 Yrs, S/O- Laheto; (3) Nito Achumi, Age-38 Years, S/O- Ahokhe and registered three separate cases. None of the arrested persons were found to have any License/permit to sell the restricted medicines or any medical prescription for its usage.
Spasmo-proxyvon (containing paracetamol (acetaminophen), dextropropoxyphene, and dicyclomine (dicycloverine) & Condine Syrup) are placed under Schedule H &H1 Drug. Schedule H is a class of prescription drugs in India appearing as an appendix to the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945. These are drugs which cannot be purchased over the counter without the prescription of qualified doctor. The manufacture and sale of all drugs are covered under the drugs and Cosmetic Act and Rules. This schedule contains a list of drugs that can be sold only against the prescription of a registered medical practitioner. Only the required quantities of medications motioned in the prescription can be dispensed be the pharmacies and not more. These drugs can be supplied only to the licensed parties.
Spasmo-Proxyvon & Codeine are among some of the medicinal drugs continuously being abused by drug-users in Nagaland. Misuses of the pharmaceutical drugs particularly Spasmo-Proxyvon tablets & Codein (cough syrup) is being done rampantly and these medicines are being misused as psychotropic substance for the purpose of intoxication and therefore Government has covered these medicines (Spasmo-Proxyvon tablets & Codein (Cough Syrup) under the definition of Psychotropic substances, the illegal possession thereof amount to offence under the NDPS Act.
The definition of the psychotropic substances has been given in Chapter-I Section 2 (xxiii) of the NDPS Act. ‘ Psychotropic Substance” means any substance, natural or synthetic, or any natural material or any salt or preparation of such substance or material included in the list of psychotropic substance specific in the schedule”. Both Codeine (defined in section 2 (xvi) (c) NDPS Act and Spasmo-Proxyvon (containing Dextroproxyphene has been covered under Narcotic drug or psychotropic substance vide Government of India No. S.O 826 (E) dated 14.11.1985 and S.O 40 (E) dated 29.01.1993 of manufactured narcotic drugs.
Dextroproxyphene has been defined at Sr. No. 87 of the notification Spasmoproxyvon (Dextropropoxyphene) falls within the ambit of manufactured narcotic drugs. It has been so notified vide notification Nos. 826 (E) dated 14.11.1985 and S.O 40 (E) dated 29.1.1993. Moreover, small quantity and commercial quantity has been defined in Sr. No. 33 of the notification dated 19.10.2001)
During the investigation, it was revealed that the Spasmo Proxyvon Capsule & Codeine (Cough Syrup) bottles were sourced from a person in Dimapur who apparently ran a pharmacy and sold restricted drugs. Since the arrested persons were found to be carrying the prescribed drugs without any prescription by a doctor or a medical petitioner, there was reason to believe that the scheduled prescription drugs were being sold illegally in contravention of provision of law including the NDPS Act.
Therefore, Non-bailable warrant of arrest& search warrant was obtained from the honorable court and a search & arrest operation was carried out at Mahadev Pharma in Dimapur which the Zunheboto Police had identified as the source of the drugs after interrogation of the accused persons. After the search operation on the identified premises, the alleged accused namely Manoj Barman s/o- Harinder Barman on 27/3/23 from Dimapur was arrested and the searched premises (Shop & Godown) in Dimapur, were sealed to preserve the evidence. Further investigation is being pursued to unveil the nexus in the instant case of drugs smuggling and obtaining further information about the origin and stocks of the scheduled drugs.
Nagaland Police has advised the public not to sell purchase or transport or use restricted/ prescrioption drugs without advice from medical practitioner. The Pharamacists and chemists are also warned and advised that prescription drugs should not be sold without medical advice as the same is a contravention of NDPS Act and other legal provision which may result in not only criminal action but also cancellation of the licences.
Any information about persons involved in drugs trafficking or traffickers may kindly be shared with Nagaland Police through its social media handles or by email or to any senior officers in the department. The name or photos or phone numbers act of traffickers can be shared with police. The identity of informer will be safeguarded.
The operation conducted by Nagaland Police is intended to fight the menace of drugs abuse. It is requested that the Pharmacist/Medical community also join in this fight to eradicate drug menance from our society. There is no intention to disrupt any legally conducted business activity by pharmacies in Nagaland. However, since prescription drugs are often misused and abused as psychotropic substances and such activity are a violation of NDPS Act, is requested that the pharmacies may kindly be careful in conducting their business and ensure that drugs are not sold without prescription.
The Police action is solely intended to check drug abuse and not hinder any business activity. Abuse of prescription drugs is a menace to the society and affects the health of an entire generation.
(DIPR)