14 June,2026 04:45 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Crime branch officials with the three arrested accused in Mumbai on Saturday. PIC/MUMBAI POLICE
Mumbai Police's Crime Branch Unit 11 has seized 4,734 bottles of codeine phosphate-containing cough syrup worth Rs 52.07 lakh and arrested four persons, including a juvenile, in a major narcotics bust.
Acting on a tip-off, a team from Unit 11 (Kandivali West) intercepted the accused near Rajyadevi Gajanan Gupta Trust, opposite the Indian Oil petrol pump on SV Road in Malad West around 2 pm on Saturday. The accused were allegedly attempting to sell 153 bottles of codeine phosphate syrup for narcotic use.
Among those apprehended, two are aged 26, one is 23 years old, while the fourth accused is a 17-year-old juvenile.
A case has been registered at Malad Police Station under the relevant provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985. Further investigation is being carried out by Unit 11.
During the probe, police raided the Navi Mumbai residence of one of the accused and recovered an additional 4,581 bottles of codeine phosphate syrup. In all, 4,734 bottles valued at Rs 52,07,400 and a motorcycle worth Rs 1 lakh were seized, taking the total value of the confiscated property to Rs 53,07,400.
The operation was carried out under the guidance of senior officers, including Mumbai Police Commissioner Deven Bharti and Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) Anil Kumbhare. The team was led by Police Inspector Ganesh Mali and other personnel attached to Unit 11.
In a similar incident in February, the Thane Police had arrested two people and seized mephedrone along with banned codeine-based cough syrup collectively valued at Rs 68 lakh.
The accused were apprehended during a late-night raid on February 24 at a dilapidated hut in Thakurpada. Acting on specific inputs, police conducted the operation and recovered narcotic substances allegedly intended for illegal sale.
The arrested individuals were aged 29 and 28. During the search, police recovered 338.1 grams of mephedrone and 57 bottles of codeine-based cough syrup from their possession.
Officials said the duo was allegedly planning to distribute the contraband in the local market.
Police noted that codeine-based cough syrups fall under regulated drugs and are often misused for intoxication. The accused allegedly procured and sold the syrup illegally, in violation of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act.
