Illegal Cough Syrup Trade in Puri DistrictMajor Success in One Day 650 Bottles of ESKUF Cough Syrup Seized

Under Operation “Chakra”, Puri Police is continuing its zero-tolerance drive against illegal liquor and drug-related activities in the district. As part of this sustained crackdown, Satyabadi Police Station and Kumbharpada Police Station have achieved a major success by seizing a total of 650 bottles of illegal ESKUF cough syrup in a single day and arresting the accused persons involved.

Satyabadi Police Station Case Satyabadi P.S. Case No. 26, Date: 18.01.2026
Sections: 296/276/277/132/351(2)/111(2)(b) BNS Complainant:
Kartika Chandra Nayak, ASI of Police, Satyabadi Police Station, Puri.
Accused:
Rajendra Jena (43), S/o Bhagaban Jena,
Village – Matitotta, Pradhan Sahi,
PS – Baselisahi, District – Puri.
Investigating Officer:
Sri S.R. Mahalik, IIC, Satyabadi Police Station.
Brief Facts of the Case:
On 18.01.2026 at about 12:10 PM, while conducting routine patrolling near Pattnaika Chhaka, Satyabadi Police noticed a TVS Apache motorcycle bearing registration No. OD-13-C-3577 moving towards Puri at a very high speed. Suspecting malicious intent, the police team chased the vehicle and intercepted it near Baral Chhaka.
During interception, the accused abused the police personnel using filthy language, hurled stones with the intention to escape, and used criminal force to obstruct police officers from performing their lawful duties. Upon search, conducted in the presence of independent local witnesses, two cartons inside a bag were found containing 280 bottles of ESKUF cough syrup (each bottle 100 ml; total quantity 28 litres), containing Codeine Phosphate and Triprolidine Hydrochloride.
Additionally, one Nokia keypad mobile phone and cash of ₹320/- were recovered from the accused. The accused failed to produce any valid documents or purchase bills and admitted to illegally selling the cough syrup to addicted persons for wrongful gain.
Accordingly, the cough syrup, motorcycle, mobile phone, and cash were seized, samples were drawn and sealed for chemical examination, and the accused was arrested following due legal procedures.
Kumbharpada Police Station Case
Kumbharpada P.S. Case No. 35, Date: 19.01.2026
Sections: 276/277/278/111(2) BNS
Accused Persons:
Rama @ Prabhat Jena (34), S/o Late Jogendra Jena,
Gajapatinagar, PS – Kumbharpada, Puri.
Pratap Kumar Hati (43), S/o Iswar Hati,
Abakash Lane, PS – Kumbharpada, Puri.
Brief Facts of the Case:
On 19.01.2026, acting on credible information, Kumbharpada Police conducted a raid near Abakash Lane, Puri. During the raid, the above accused persons were apprehended with exclusive and conscious possession of 370 bottles of ESKUF cough syrup, two mobile phones, and one Scooty bearing registration No. OD-13-C-8682.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the accused persons were involved in an organized racket of adulterating and selling cough syrup illegally to drug addicts. Both accused were arrested and forwarded to court. Investigation is ongoing to trace the source and destination of the seized cough syrup and to identify other persons involved in the network.
Criminal Antecedents of Rama @ Prabhat Jena
Kumbharpada P.S. Case No. 179 dated 05.06.2021
U/s 274/275/276 IPC & 13 Drugs & Cosmetics Act.
Town P.S. Case No. 17 dated 26.01.2020
U/s 274/275/34 IPC & 13/27 Drugs & Cosmetics Act.
Town P.S. Case No. 31 dated 11.02.2026
U/s 420/294-A/34 IPC & 4/5 PCMC Act.
Appeal to the Public
Puri Police reiterates that strict action against drug and illegal cough syrup trade will continue under Operation “Chakra”. The public is requested to cooperate with the police by sharing any information related to such illegal activities by dialing 112.