West Bengal: 2 held for trying to smuggle drugs under garb of essential items

Special Task Force (STF) of Kolkata Police on Monday seized around 10,000 bottles of Phensedyl Syrup from a lorry which was plying under garb of ferrying essential goods during nationwide lockdown, a senior officer said.

Two people -- driver of vehicle and his helper -- were arrested, he said.

A total of 100 cartons containing bottles of Phensedyl Syrup worth Rs 15.4 lakh were seized, he ded.

" lorry was loed with at least 1.5 tons of pumpkins and se cartons were camoufld under m," officer said.

"Acting on a tip-off that an inter-state narcotic group was using essential goods as cover to transport contraband articles, STF unit of city police intercepted a six-wheeler lorry at Bakery Ro in Hastings Police Station limits," he ded.

Codeine-based Phensedyl Syrup which is generally used for treating cough and common cold is considered as a narcotic substance falling under Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985.

It is banned in India and is widely used as an dictive drug in neighbouring Banglesh.