Crackdown on illegal sale of drugs in Sirsa, 3.6 lakh intoxicating tablets seized in 3 days

Anil Kakkar

Sirsa, Updated At : 09:29 AM Jan 20, 2025 IST

Police and drug control officials during a raid in Sirsa.

The Sirsa police have seized approximately 3.6 lakh intoxicating pills and capsules over the past three days during multiple raids. However, due to regulatory loopholes, traffickers face only minor consequences.

Statistics at a glance
Seizures: 3.6 lakh pills, including Tapentadol and Pregabalin, confiscated in 3 days
Legal loophole: Drugs not covered under NDPS Act, allowing traffickers to avoid severe punishment
Manpower issues: Sirsa has only two Drug Control Officers for over 2,000 medical stores
Action: 305 NDPS cases and 487 arrests made in 2024

On Sunday, the police intercepted a vehicle in Hari Vishnu Colony and seized 2.7 lakh pills, including 2.16 lakh Tapentadol tablets and 54,000 Pregabalin capsules. SP Vikrant Bhushan said the medicines were traced to Harvinder Singh, owner of Deep Traders Medical Agency in Bharat Nagar. Mangat Singh, the vehicle’s driver, was arrested.

Drug Controller Officer (DCO) Suneel Kumar confirmed that the seized medicines are often abused as substitutes for heroin (chitta). “Tapentadol and Pregabalin are not listed under the NDPS Act, which results in weaker legal action. This has emboldened traffickers, who exploit the system with ease,” said Kumar. Despite seizing large quantities of these drugs, authorities are constrained by inadequate laws. DCO Kumar revealed that last year, 26 medical stores in Sirsa were sealed for illegally selling these medicines. However, many offenders continue operations under new business names, leveraging lengthy legal proceedings to avoid imprisonment.

“The lack of strict regulations for these drugs, coupled with insufficient manpower, hampers enforcement efforts. Sirsa has over 2,000 medical stores, but only two Drug Control Officers are appointed.The third position has been vacant for over a year,” he added.

Bhushan highlighted that the Sirsa police registered 305 cases under the NDPS Act in 2024, arresting 487 individuals. “While recent raids have been successful, the rampant misuse of these medicines by youth and daily wage workers underscores the urgent need for stricter laws and awareness campaigns,” he said.

Crackdown on illegal sale of drugs in Sirsa, 3.6 lakh intoxicating tablets seized in 3 days

Anil Kakkar

Unlock Exclusive Insights with The Tribune Premium

Live Matches