Yanthungo Patton and civic bodies have lauded Dimapur Police for seizing 19,760 bottles of suspected codeine-based cough syrup and urged a probe into the wider supply network.
DIMAPUR — Deputy Chief Minister Yanthungo Patton and civic bodies have lauded the Dimapur Police for the seizure of 19,760 bottles of suspected codeine-based cough syrup from a warehouse in Marwari Patti, Dimapur, on August 25.
Patton appreciated the Nagaland Police, led by DGP Rupin Sharma, and the Dimapur Police team headed by Commissioner of Police Aotula T Imchen for their timely action in intercepting the consignment before it could enter wider circulation.
In a press release, the deputy chief minister said the illicit trade in restricted pharmaceutical drugs poses a serious threat to the youth and remains a major concern for parents and families across the state.
He said the seizure reflected Nagaland’s resolve in the ongoing fight against drugs and its commitment to protecting young lives and creating a safer environment for future generations.
Patton expressed confidence that the ongoing investigation would trace the wider supply network and identify those involved in the illicit trade.
He also assured that the state government would continue to support the police in their efforts to safeguard communities, uphold the law and maintain peace and security.
The Joint Council Forum (JCF) also condemned the possession, distribution and circulation of suspected codeine-based cough syrup, describing the illegal trade as a serious threat to public health and society, particularly the younger generation.
While appreciating the Dimapur Police and the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) for the seizure, the JCF urged authorities to investigate the entire network behind the consignment.
It called for those involved in procurement, transportation, financing, distribution and circulation to be identified, arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
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The forum stressed that the action should not be limited to the seizure, but should also uncover the source, supply chain and beneficiaries behind the illegal trade.
The Dimapur Urban Council Chairmen’s Federation (DUCCF) similarly lauded the police for their “swift and decisive action” in intercepting the consignment.
It said the operation resulted in the recovery of 126 cartons containing nearly 20,000 bottles of suspected codeine-based cough syrup.
The federation urged law-enforcement agencies to thoroughly investigate the supply network and ensure stringent action against those involved.
Expressing concern over the impact of drug abuse on Naga society, the DUCCF said it was a “war for our generation” and called for collective action by civil society organisations, community leaders, churches and residents across urban wards and colonies.
It urged all stakeholders to work closely with the police, maintain sustained vigilance and strengthen surveillance and enforcement operations to prevent the circulation of narcotics and illicit pharmaceutical substances in Dimapur.