Two convicted in codeine cough syrup case, sentenced to 15 years’ rigorous imprisonment
Raipur
A Special NDPS Court in Durg has sentenced two men to 15 years’ rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 1 lakh each after convicting them in a case involving the possession of commercial quantities of codeine-based cough syrup.
The court, in its judgment pronounced on September 21, convicted Ankit Yadav (23) and Keval Devangan (22) under Section 22(c) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, for violating Section 8 of the Act. The court also ordered that in case of default in payment of the fine, each convict would undergo an additional one year of rigorous imprisonment.
According to Durg police, the case dates back to June 1, 2022, when Mohan Nagar police intercepted the accused near Colours in Aditya Nagar and seized codeine-based cough syrup during a search.
Police said 25 bottles of KOP FREE Cough Syrup (100 ml each), containing codeine, were recovered from Yadav. Another 50 bottles of SUPKOF Syrup (100 ml each), containing Chlorpheniramine Maleate and Codeine Phosphate, were seized from Devangan.
A case was registered under the relevant provisions of the NDPS Act and investigated by Sub-Inspector Bhikham Sahu. The police subsequently submitted the evidence and documents collected during the investigation before the court.
The prosecution case was that the accused were in possession of the restricted codeine-based cough syrups without lawful authorisation, thereby violating provisions of the NDPS Act.
After considering the evidence and records placed before it, the Special Judge, NDPS Act, Durg found both accused guilty and imposed the sentences on September 21.
Assistant Government Pleader Prakash Sharma conducted the prosecution before the court, while Sub-Inspector Sahu investigated the case.
Durg police appealed to the public to immediately inform the police about the illegal storage, transportation or sale of prohibited narcotic or intoxicating drugs, assuring that legal action would be taken against those involved in the illegal drug trade.
