Zunheboto police continue ‘war on drugs’ operation

After obtaining non-bailable warrant of arrest and search from the court on March 27, the Zunheboto police carried out “a search and arrest operation” at Mahadev Pharma in Dimapur and arrested alleged accused identified as one Manoj Barman and the searched premises (Shop & Godown) in Dimapur were sealed to “preserve the evidence.”
According to a DIPR report, the Zunheboto police had identified the premises as the source of the drugs after interrogation of the accused persons in relation with Aghunato police station C/No.06/23 u/s 22 (c) NDPS Act & C/No.0/23 u/s 22 (c) NDPS Act.
Further, during further course of investigation in connection with Akuluto PS C/NO. 03/23, the Special Operation Team (SOT) Zunheboto seized Suspected Brown Sugar 11.63 grams (approx), from the possession of Viloto Muru, resident of ‘B’ Khel colony Satakha town, who was arrested on march 23, 2023.
As part of continued ‘war on drugs’ operation and based on intelligence input, Zunheboto police on March 23, conducted house raid at Inavi Colony, Aghunato town and seized 730 nos of suspected Spasmo Proxyvon capsule, 17 nos of Cough Syrup. During the raid, police arrested three persons identified as Atoka Achumi (45), Atoba Kiho (38) and Nito Achumi (38) and registered three separate cases.
The report stated that none of the arrested persons were found to have any license/permit to sell restricted medicines or any medical prescription for its usage. During investigation, it was revealed that SP capsule and codeine (cough syrup) bottles were sourced from a person in Dimapur, who apparently ran a pharmacy and sold restricted drugs.
Since the arrested persons were found to be carrying the prescribed drugs without any prescription by a doctor or a medical petitioner, the report said there was reason to believe that the scheduled prescription drugs were being sold illegally in contravention of provision of law including the NDPS Act.
Therefore, the report said that non-bailable warrant of arrest and search warrant was obtained from the court and a search & arrest operation was carried out at Mahadev Pharma, which the Zunheboto police had identified as the source of the drugs after interrogation of the accused persons.
According to the report, further investigation was being pursued to unveil the nexus in the case of drugs smuggling and obtaining further information about the origin and stocks of the scheduled drugs.
Nagaland police have advised the public not to sell purchase or transport or use restricted/ prescription drugs without advice from medical practitioner.
The Pharamacists and chemists have also been warned and advised that prescription drugs should not be sold without medical advice as the same was a contravention of NDPS Act and other legal provision, which could result in not only criminal action but also cancellation of the licences.
The report stated that operation conducted by Nagaland police was intended to fight the menace of drugs abuse. It has requested that pharmacist/medical community also join in the fight to eradicate drug menace from the society.
It stated that there was no intention to disrupt any legally conducted business activity by pharmacies in Nagaland. However, since prescription drugs are often misused and abused as psychotropic substances and such activity are a violation of NDPS Act, it requested the pharmacies to be careful in conducting their business and ensure that drugs were not sold without prescription.
It stated that police action was solely intended to check drug abuse and not hinder any business activity.