Ahmedabad, June 28 (IANS) The Ahmedabad Rural Police of Gujarat have seized 358 bottles of suspected intoxicating cough syrup worth Rs 70,884 from a pick-up truck and arrested one man during a targeted anti-narcotics operation in the Aslali area of the district.

The seizure was made near Satva Arcade Complex on the Sarkhej-Dholka Road following specific intelligence inputs about the transportation of illicit cough syrup.

Police intercepted a vehicle from which 358 bottles of intoxicating cough syrup were recovered. During the operation, police also seized a mobile phone valued at Rs 5,000 from the accused and impounded the vehicle, valued at approximately Rs 3 lakh.

The total value of seized property has been estimated at Rs 3,75,884.

The arrested accused has been identified as Khoda alias Rohit Thakor, 36, a driver and resident of Bavla taluka in Ahmedabad district.

Two other individuals, identified as Jignesh Thakor and Ravi Pagi, both residents of Bavla taluka, have been named as wanted accused in the case.

A case has been registered at Aslali Police Station under Sections 8(c), 21(c) and 29 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, and further investigation is underway to determine the source and distribution network of the seized contraband.

In a similar recent enforcement action in Ahmedabad district, police had earlier this year seized 273 bottles of intoxicating cough syrup in Bavla, arresting one accused and recovering a vehicle and other property linked to the illegal trade, according to police and local reports.

In another operation in the region, law enforcement agencies in Ahmedabad Rural had also cracked down on the illegal sale of cough syrup in multiple coordinated raids in Changodar and Sanand areas, where officers recovered contraband and detained several suspects as part of ongoing anti-drug drives.

Officials said such seizures reflect continuing efforts to curb the illegal circulation of codeine-based cough syrups, which are increasingly being misused as intoxicants, particularly among young people in parts of Gujarat.

Further investigation in the present case is ongoing.

–IANS

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