In one of the biggest crackdowns on an alleged cross-border cough syrup trafficking racket in recent months, West Bengal Police seized ₹2.40 crore in cash, around 9,000 bottles of banned cough syrup valued at over ₹20 lakh, along with two gold coins and a laptop during overnight raids in Malda district. Three people, including the alleged mastermind, have been arrested.
Raids Triggered by Earlier Arrests
The joint operation was carried out by the South Dinajpur and Malda district police from Sunday evening until Monday morning. Investigators launched the raids after questioning four accused arrested earlier in South Dinajpur, which led them to a medicine trader based in Malda allegedly linked to a larger smuggling network with connections to Bangladesh.
Cash Recovered from Flat, Contraband Found in Warehouse
Police first raided a rented flat near the National Highway in Mangalbari, where they recovered bundles of ₹500 notes stacked inside an almirah. According to investigators, the occupants were unable to provide satisfactory documents explaining the source of the cash.
Following an overnight counting exercise, officials confirmed the seizure of ₹2,40,97,380 in cash, along with two gold coins and a laptop. A subsequent search of a warehouse in Khaihatta led to the recovery of nearly 9,000 bottles of banned cough syrup, estimated to be worth ₹20.16 lakh. Police suspect the consignment was meant for illegal cross-border trafficking.
The arrested individuals have been identified as:
* Pintu Sarkar – alleged kingpin of the racket
* Sushanta Haldar
* Gopal Chaki
All three are residents of Old Malda. Police believe Sarkar masterminded the operation, while the other two allegedly assisted in running the network.
The accused have been taken to South Dinajpur and are expected to be produced before a court. Investigators are likely to seek police custody, saying the trafficking network may have a wider interstate and cross-border footprint, with more arrests expected as the probe progresses.
