CBN Seizes 66.8 Lakh Psychotropic Tablets
One arrested after major inter-state pharmaceutical diversion case under Operation Vajra 2.0
- CBN seized 66,79,980 psychotropic tablets from a truck on the Chandigarh-Baddi route.
- The consignment included Alprazolam, Tramadol, Nitrazepam and Clonazepam.
- One person was arrested and an SML Isuzu Sartaj truck was seized.
- CBN is probing the wider manufacturing and distribution network.
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 29th Aug: The Central Bureau of Narcotics (CBN) has seized 66,79,980 psychotropic tablets in a major inter-state pharmaceutical diversion case under Operation Vajra 2.0, the Ministry of Finance said on Saturday.
Acting on specific intelligence developed by the CBN’s Neemuch Unit in Madhya Pradesh, a specialised preventive team of the CBN MP Unit conducted surveillance along the Punjab-Himachal Pradesh corridor on August 27-28.
The team intercepted an SML Isuzu Sartaj truck bearing a Uttar Pradesh registration on the Chandigarh-Baddi interstate route on August 27. The vehicle was taken to a secure location for a detailed search.
A carton-by-carton examination led to the discovery of 120 master cartons containing controlled psychotropic substances. The consignment comprised Alprazolam, Tramadol, Nitrazepam and Clonazepam tablets.
According to the CBN, several measures had allegedly been used to conceal the supply chain and evade regulatory tracking. Batch numbers, manufacturing dates and expiry dates had been erased from a substantial quantity of blister strips and boxes.
The agency also found medicines marked “Not to be sold in Punjab Haryana State” being transported without supporting documents including invoices, bilty or e-way bills.
The inventory, examination and sealing process continued for more than 14 hours overnight. The entire consignment and the truck were seized under relevant provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.
One suspect has been arrested under the Act.
The CBN said an intensive follow-up investigation is underway to identify the upstream manufacturing and supply channels and downstream distribution network allegedly linked to the diversion and trafficking of the medicines.
The investigation will also seek to identify other individuals and entities associated with the alleged racket.
The agency said the action forms part of its efforts towards the safe use of medicines and the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan.
During 2026, the CBN has so far booked 197 cases and arrested 272 persons, besides dismantling six clandestine laboratories, according to the Ministry. Its enforcement operations have also resulted in the seizure of around 51,000 kg of various NDPS drugs and 12.72 crore tablets and capsules of psychotropic medicines.
