Paonta Sahib firm booked in opioid pill recovery case

Tribune News Service

Solan, May 30

Two days after the Punjab Police seized 30.2 lakh tablets of opioids worth Rs 15 crore from Unique Formulations in Paonta Sahib, the local police today registered a case of cheating, forgery, criminal conspiracy and under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act in the case.

The police noted that the company had a licence for manufacturing tramadol, which is a restricted salt. Its owner is Manish Mohan while others were allegedly financing it and selling its products.

The wrappers of 50,000 tramadol tablets reveal that it was marketed by PB Pharmaceutical, Raj Tower, Third Floor, Hauz Khas, New Delhi-16. The marketing company, however, does not exist at the address and it was a ploy for nefarious sale of the intoxicants.

The Superintendent of Police, Sirmaur, Khushal Chand Sharma, said since the marketing firm did not exist at the address, the intention of the company management seemed mala fide.

It was indicative of their criminal intent and also a violation of the terms of licence issued to Unique Formulations. The company also violated the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 2020, which came into effect from March 1, making it mandatory for a company to enter into an agreement with a marketing company.

The drugs, as per preliminary police inquiries, seem to be manufactured for nefarious use as per a planned conspiracy by the management.

A case under Sections 420, 467, 468, 471 and 120-B of the IPC and Sections 22 and 8(a) of the NDPS has been registered.

The Director General of Police directed Inspector General of Police Himanshu Mishra to look into the case. Mishra, who paid a visit to Paonta Sahib yesterday, examined the case and its various aspects.

Mktg firm doesn’t exist at the address

The wrappers of 50,000 tramadol tablets reveal that it was marketed by PB Pharmaceutical, Raj Tower, Third Floor, Hauz Khas, New Delhi-16. The marketing company, however, does not exist at the address.