Sambalpur, Oct 14: In a major crackdown on illegal drug trafficking, Sambalpur police have seized a consignment of 5,100 bottles of Corex cough syrup valued at ₹10 lakh. The contraband was reportedly being smuggled from Cuttack district to Sambalpur when it was intercepted during a covert operation.

Acting on credible intelligence, a special police team launched a strategic mission to foil the smuggling attempt. Officers grew suspicious of a pickup van near Gopalpali under the Bareipali area and initiated a chase. The vehicle was successfully intercepted, leading to the arrest of 20 individuals allegedly involved in the operation.

During the raid, police seized the pickup van loaded with the cough syrup bottles, along with a car, five mobile phones, and ₹40,000 in cash. The operation is being hailed as a significant success in the fight against the illegal distribution of controlled substances.

Corex cough syrup, which contains codeine phosphate, is a regulated pharmaceutical product often misused for recreational purposes. Its illegal circulation poses serious public health risks and violates narcotics control laws.

A case has been registered against the accused, and further investigation is underway to identify the kingpin behind the racket.