Guwahati: Railway authorities foiled an alleged attempt to transport a large consignment of suspected codeine-based cough syrup through Guwahati Railway Station, recovering more than 4,300 bottles of the prohibited substance and arresting a suspect during a joint enforcement operation.
The seizure was made during a coordinated operation conducted by the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and the Crime Intelligence Branch (CIB) after officials received specific intelligence about the movement of a suspected narcotics consignment on Train No. 15609 Guwahati–Sairang Express.
According to officials, personnel from the RPF’s Crime Prevention and Detection Squad (CPDS) and the CIB maintained surveillance near the parcel gate adjoining Platform No. 1, where they intercepted an individual attempting to load multiple cartons into the train’s leased SLR coach.
A detailed inspection of the consignment led to the recovery of 29 cartons containing 4,341 bottles of suspected codeine-based cough syrup. Each 100 ml bottle reportedly contained a formulation of Codeine Phosphate and Triprolidine Hydrochloride, substances regulated under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.
The accused has been identified as Md. Shahjada (35), a resident of Bihar’s Darbhanga district. During questioning, he allegedly failed to produce any valid licence or authorisation for transporting the pharmaceutical consignment. Investigators also found that the cartons had been marked as “Fluid”, which officials suspect was intended to disguise the true nature of the shipment.
Officials said the seized stock included 1,498 bottles of COF-TRIP and 2,843 bottles of KOFF-TRIP, with the total estimated market value of the consignment pegged at approximately ₹13.1 lakh.
Following verification by the Drug Inspector, Guwahati, both the accused and the seized consignment were handed over to the Government Railway Police (GRP), Guwahati, for further legal action.
A case has been registered under Section 22(C) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, and investigators are continuing their probe to determine the source, intended destination and any possible links to a larger drug trafficking network.
The operation forms part of ongoing efforts by railway security agencies to curb the transportation of narcotic substances through the rail network and strengthen surveillance against organised smuggling activities.
