**Executive Summary**
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) conducted two successful operations on July 2, 2026, in Tripura and West Bengal, resulting in the seizure of approximately 1.11 lakh bottles of Codeine-based cough syrup. These actions, carried out under the NDPS Act, 1985, led to one arrest and highlighted the illicit diversion of pharmaceutical preparations by organized smuggling syndicates. The operations underscore the DRI's ongoing commitment to dismantling narcotics supply networks through coordinated, intelligence-driven efforts.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Details of Seizure Operations**
* **Tripura Operation:** On July 2, 2026, DRI officers intercepted a train consignment bound for Agartala, recovering 55,626 bottles of Codeine-based cough syrup.
* **West Bengal Operation:** DRI searched a warehouse in Dankuni, West Bengal, seizing 56,225 bottles of the same substance.
* **Total Volume:** Combined, the two operations resulted in the seizure of approximately 1.11 lakh bottles.
**Concealment and Trafficking Methods**
* **Innovative Concealment:** Contraband was hidden inside metallic and iron drums beneath layers of "cover cargo," such as china clay powder and other powdery substances, to evade detection.
* **Illicit Diversion:** Organized syndicates are increasingly targeting pharmaceutical preparations containing narcotic substances, like Codeine, for illicit trafficking despite their legitimate therapeutic uses.
**Enforcement and Legal Framework**
* **Legal Action:** All seizures were made under the relevant provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.
* **Arrests:** One individual was arrested in Tripura while attempting to take delivery of the intercepted consignment.
* **Inter-agency Coordination:** The operation in Tripura was conducted with assistance from the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and Assam Rifles.
**Impact Analysis**
**Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI)**
**Impact**
The agency successfully disrupted a large-scale narcotics supply chain and prevented the distribution of over 1 lakh bottles of illicit substances.
**Action Required**
The DRI must remain committed to intelligence-driven operations and continue coordinating with other security forces like the RPF and Assam Rifles to dismantle smuggling networks.
**Smuggling Syndicates**
**Impact**
Syndicates faced a significant loss of contraband and the arrest of one member, with their "innovative" concealment methods being exposed.
**Action Required**
No specific action is required from this group other than being subject to legal proceedings under the NDPS Act, 1985.
**Railway Protection Force (RPF) and Assam Rifles**
**Impact**
These agencies played a critical role in the successful interception of contraband being transported via rail infrastructure.
**Action Required**
Continue providing operational assistance to the DRI in monitoring and intercepting suspicious cargo in transit.
Key Entities Referenced
Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI): The primary intelligence agency responsible for executing the operations to seize illicit codeine-based cough syrup and dismantle narcotics supply networks.
NDPS Act, 1985: The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, which serves as the legal framework for the seizure of contraband and the arrest of suspects.
Tripura and West Bengal: The specific states where the search and seizure operations were conducted, focusing on transit points and warehouses.
Railway Protection Force (RPF) and Assam Rifles: The enforcement agencies that provided critical assistance to the DRI during the interception and recovery of the narcotics consignment.
Ministry of Finance
DRI seizes over 1 lakh bottles of Codeine-based
cough syrup in two separate operations in
Tripura and West Bengal; one person arrested
Posted On: 05 JUL 2026 7:20PM by PIB Delhi
In continuation of its sustained efforts to curb drug trafficking and dismantle narcotics supply networks,
the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has seized huge quantities of Codeine-based cough syrup
bottles in two separate operations conducted in Tripura and West Bengal under the provisions of the NDPS
Act, 1985.
On 02.07.26, the officers of DRI intercepted a consignment being transported in the parcel van of a train
bound for Agartala. The contraband was found ingeniously concealed inside 80 metallic drums beneath a
layer of powdery substance used as cover cargo. A total of 55,626 bottles of Codeine-based cough syrup
were recovered and seized. The operation was carried out with the assistance of the Railway Protection
Force (RPF) and Assam Rifles. One person, who had arrived to take delivery of the consignment was
arrested.
Around same period, in another operation, DRI officers searched a warehouse at Dankuni, West Bengal,
where 56,225 bottles of Codeine-based cough syrup were recovered from 104 sealed iron drums. The
bottles had been concealed beneath a layer of china clay powder inside the drums to evade detection. The
entire quantity was seized under the relevant provisions of the NDPS Act, 1985.
Overall, the two operations resulted in seizure of around 1.11 lakhs of Codeine-based cough syrup bottles
and arrest of 1 person.
Codeine, a derivative of opium, has legitimate therapeutic use in regulated pharmaceutical preparations.
However, Codeine-based cough syrups are often targeted by drug trafficking networks owing to their
abuse potential when diverted for illicit consumption.
These seizures highlight the continued attempts by organised smuggling syndicates to divert
pharmaceutical preparations containing narcotic substances for illicit trafficking through innovative
concealment methods. Through coordinated intelligence-driven operations, DRI remains committed to
dismantling such networks.
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SR/KMN
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