Security forces seized more than 8,000 bottles of codeine‑laced cough syrup from a riverbank in Imphal West district, Imphal, on Oct. 7, according to police.
The seizure involved 52 boxes containing 8,320 bottles, following the interrogation of three individuals apprehended on Oct. 4 in Imphal East and Imphal West districts.
Investigations identified Nongthombam Jamesjit, owner of a drug store at Naoremthong Bazar in Imphal West, as the suspected kingpin of the network. He was arrested in Ahmedabad on Tuesday.
Codeine‑based formulations are regulated medicines in India and cannot be sold or distributed without a valid prescription and compliance with the Drugs and Cosmetics Act. Unauthorized possession, transportation or sale beyond the permitted framework triggers provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act.
