High-speed chase leads to seizure of Rs 12.48 lakh worth codeine syrup; 3 arrested

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: The police on Saturday night seized a consignment of codeine-based cough syrup valued at Rs 12.5 lakh after a high-speed chase across city roads and arrested three men from Latur district. However, the suspected kingpin, Ashfaq Patel, fled.Authorities said the action is part of an intensified anti-narcotics drive launched on the directions of police commissioner Pravin Pawar. Crime branch teams were deployed across sensitive locations in the city on Saturday when a suspicious vehicle was spotted during a routine check near Cambridge Chowk, in the Cantonment area, at 9.20pm. "When the police personnel signalled the vehicle to stop, the driver accelerated and tried to escape. The vehicle was being driven recklessly, and it repeatedly attempted to ram police officers, posing a serious threat to the lives of people on the road," Pawar said, adding that firm action would continue against drug traffickers operating in the city.Inspector (Crime) Gajanan Kalyankar said multiple crime branch teams were mobilised to intercept the vehicle at different points. "Despite barricades and clear signals to stop, the driver deliberately tried to run over police personnel at more than one location. During the operation, police constable Ganesh Sagare sustained injuries after being hit by the vehicle," Kalyankar said.Police said the road was blocked ahead, after which three occupants abandoned the vehicle and tried to flee after scuffling with police personnel. Officers used mild force and detained all three accused. They were identified as Sheikh Samir Rajasaab (24), a resident of Anand Nagar in Latur; Syed Altaf Wahab (23) of Balajichi Wadi in Udgir taluka, Latur district; and Umar Abdul Sahab Sheikh (36) of Burhanga Nagar, Latur. The accused were booked under relevant sections of the BNS, the NDPS Act, the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, and the Motor Vehicles Act. A search led to the recovery of banned cough syrup. Food and drug inspector Manoj Paithane and a forensic team were called to the spot, and a panchnama was carried out. Police seized 26 khaki-coloured boxes containing sealed 100ml bottles of Triprolidine Hydrochloride and Codeine Phosphate syrup. Each box contained 120 bottles, taking the total to 3,120 bottles. The market value, calculated at Rs 400 per bottle, was pegged at Rs 12,48,800.Deputy commissioner of police (Crime) Ratnakar Navale said the accused told interrogators the consignment was sourced from a medical supplier in Latur and was meant to be sold in the Shahbazaar area of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. "The delivery was intended for Ashfaq Patel, who we suspect is the main operator of this illegal network in the city," Navale said.Police said Patel absconded. "Patel is a repeat offender and was recently arrested in another case with two country-made firearms and six live cartridges. Dedicated teams were formed to trace him and dismantle the entire supply chain," Navale added.