Police tighten noose around chemist shops

The police claimed to have tightened noose around owners and managers of chemist shops which had been exploiting their business for distributing addictive tablets and capsules in the guise of selling pharmaceutical preparations on prescription of alleged ‘fake’ doctors.

Unlike earlier situations when suspects used to avoid legal action by closing their shops on receiving information about raids, the authorities have started sealing their establishments for verifying stocks and records regarding certain scheduled drugs which are being used as psychotropic substances by drug addicts.

SSP Gagan Ajit Singh said the decision to tighten noose around owners of chemist shops violating norms regarding stock and sale of pharmaceutical preparations was taken following surprise checking by IGP SOG Gautam Cheema on Thursday as a part of Yudh Nashian Virudh.

“Having received information about alleged illegal sale of certain pharmaceutical preparations for use as psychotropic drugs, we conducted surprise checking at some markets and sealed those shops owners of which had downed the shutters to avoid action,” said Singh, maintaining that designated officers including Circle Officers and SHOs at Ahmedgarh, Malerkotla and Amargarh had been advised to launch intensive drive against tainted shopkeepers in coordination with drug inspector of their respective areas.