Thane autorickshaw driver held with 119 codeine cough syrup bottles

Representational image. File pic

A 35-year-old autorickshaw driver has been arrested in Thane. The accused allegedly was booked for possessing and selling prescription-grade cough syrup containing codeine phosphate, police said on Saturday.

As per PTI, based on a tip-off, the Bhoiwada police caught Akbar Adam Shah, a resident of Narpoli, in the wee hours of Thursday.

After apprehending the accused, the police officials recovered a gunny bag with 119 bottles of 100 ml ANREX cough syrup containing codeine phosphate and triprolidine hydrochloride, an official said.

The officials further added, "The team seized cough syrup worth Rs 24,990 from the accused, who was distributing the substance without any valid medical prescription or legal permits," as per PTI.

A case has been registered against the accused under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Drugs and Cosmetics Act of 1940, and the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, the official added.

Mumbai Police seize mephedrone worth Rs 13 lakh in Pydhonie; 3 held

In a separate incident, the Pydhonie Police in South Mumbai earlier on Friday arrested three men and seized mephedrone (MD) worth Rs. 13 lakh during an operation, officials said.

According to the police, an operation was conducted beginning on September 5, 2026, when a detection team was conducting patrolling in the area and raided a location on Janjikar Street near Masjid area.

"Two men were initially detained at the spot after police allegedly found them carrying mephedrone. Officers later traced and arrested a third suspect from Dhobi Gali in Pydhonie," said an official.

Three suspects arrested

Police identified the arrested suspects as Kapil Arora, 39, Asif Shaikh, 44, and Aslam Shaikh, 33.

According to police, all three suspects reportedly have previous criminal records and are habitual offenders.

The investigation continued after their arrests, with officials questioning the suspects about the source of the drugs, police said.

During the investigation, a team of Pydhonie Police found that the trio had been allegedly manufacturing mephedrone themselves and selling it, an official said.

A police team then raided a property in Ulhasnagar in Thane district of Maharashtra.

During the search, officers recovered specialised equipment allegedly used for the production of mephedrone.

The seizure has led police to investigate the wider network involved in the alleged manufacture and distribution of the drug.

(With inputs from PTI)