**Title:** NCB Seizes 5 Lakh Tablets in Major Drug Bust Across UP and Uttarakhand
**Meta Description:** The Narcotics Control Bureau has seized 5 lakh tablets of Tramadol and Alprazolam, arresting five individuals in a significant drug trafficking operation.
**URL Slug:** ncb-drug-bust-up-uttarakhand
**Headline:** NCB Uncovers Major Drug Trafficking Network, Seizes 5 Lakh Tablets
In a significant crackdown on illegal drug trafficking, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has seized 5 lakh tablets of Tramadol and Alprazolam, valued at approximately Rs 20 crore, and arrested five individuals involved in the operation. This enforcement action was part of an ongoing investigation into a network that was illicitly distributing pharmaceutical drugs across Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
The NCB’s operations, which began in May, included multiple raids in locations such as Dehradun and Jaspur in Uttarakhand, as well as Muzaffarnagar, Bareilly, and Saharanpur in western Uttar Pradesh. According to a statement released by the agency, the investigation revealed that a milk seller from Uttar Pradesh had unlawfully rented out his wholesale drug license to the group for Rs 5,000 per month. The network exploited fake wholesalers and misused drug sale licenses to facilitate their operations.
The investigation commenced on May 12, when NCB officials conducted a raid at a medical store in Vikasnagar, Dehradun, where they recovered 594 Tramadol tablets and arrested one suspect. During questioning, the individual provided crucial information that led to the identification of additional members of the drug trafficking network. As the investigation progressed, both a supplier and a peddler were apprehended.
Further inquiries revealed that two medical firms, M/s S.M. Enterprises in Muzaffarnagar and M/s Balaji in Bareilly, were involved in the unauthorized buying and selling of drugs. Acting on this intelligence, the NCB raided a warehouse, recovering an astonishing 4,74,480 Tramadol tablets and 24,000 Alprazolam tablets stored without proper authorization.
On July 25, the NCB arrested Upendra Pal in the Gagalhedi area of Saharanpur, seizing 954 Tramadol tablets and 720 Alprazolam tablets from his possession. Additionally, on August 1, NCB officers intercepted a suspect in Jaspur, Uttarakhand, who was found in possession of 25,600 Tramadol tablets linked to the same Bareilly-based firm.
The NCB has indicated that the drug network operated through the use of counterfeit wholesalers and the misuse of drug sale licenses to divert pharmaceutical drugs to various locations. Efforts are currently underway to identify and apprehend the primary individual orchestrating this operation.
Tramadol is a medication commonly used for pain relief, and since 2018, it has been classified as a psychotropic substance in India, with its sale closely monitored by the NCB. Alprazolam, a prescription medication, is sometimes misused recreationally or mixed with local alcoholic beverages.
In conclusion, the NCB’s recent operations highlight the ongoing challenges in combating drug trafficking in India, emphasizing the need for continued vigilance and enforcement to protect public health and safety.
**FAQ Section:**
**Q: What are Tramadol and Alprazolam used for?**
A: Tramadol is primarily used for pain relief, while Alprazolam is a prescription medication often used to treat anxiety and panic disorders. Both drugs are regulated due to their potential for misuse.
