Telangana Drug Control Administration (DCA), in coordination with the Prohibition and Excise wing of Ranga Reddy district, busted an illicit network involved in diversion and illegal sale of codeine-based cough syrups. The raid resulted in the arrest of three people, including two licensed medical shop proprietors and a woman carrier.

Key Highlights

Cough Syrup Seized During Questioning

• First-time arrests for possession of illegal ganja prompted the authorities to discover the sale of codeine syrup.

• 13 bottles of codeine phosphate syrup were seized from a woman, Nalla Rajini, in Secunderabad, who was unable to show a prescription or drug license.

Decoy Operation at Medical Shop

• A sting operation at Generic World Medical Shop in Vidyanagar, Hyderabad, uncovered unbilled sales of codeine syrup.

• 80 bottles of codeine-containing syrup were confiscated from the premises.

Supply Chain Laid to Himalaya Pharma

• The supply of the syrup was traced further to Himalaya Pharma in Bowenpally through further investigation.

• Irregularities were discovered, such as sales without prescription and absence of proper records.

Arrests

• Nalla Rajini, AK Singhal (Generic World Medical Shop licensee), and DK Goyal (Himalaya Pharma licensee) were arrested.

• They all were found contravening the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, especially in relation to selling Schedule H1 drugs.

Quotes from Officials or Leaders
DCA & Excise Department Joint Statement:
"Sale of codeine-based cough syrups without prescriptions is a grave offence under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act. We will not tolerate such activities that are a threat to public health, particularly youth."The bust serves as a reminder of the increasing problem of cough syrup abuse and the diversion of regulated medications. The Telangana DCA's aggressive coordination with local law enforcement and targeted raids exhibit a firm approach against pharmaceutical diversion. Additional investigations continue to break up the larger network behind the distribution.