Ampoules containing buprenorphine hydrochloride, which is administered as a painkiller but often abused by drug users, were seized on Sunday morning while they were allegedly being smuggled across to Bangladesh.
Three men were arrested.
An officer of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), which intercepted the consignment, said the 1,996 seized ampoules were worth more than Rs 3.5 lakh in the illegal drug market.
According to him, buprenorphine hydrochloride and codeine phosphate cough syrup are much in demand in Bangladesh, where they are sold at five to six times the original price.
“The buprenorphine hydrochloride injection is meant to be given to those who have a valid prescription. Usually, those who have suffered a critical wound or undergone surgery are prescribed the medicine. However, many people consume it to get a high and are addicted to it,” the officer said.
Another investigating officer said they had received multiple tip-offs that such a consignment would make its way across the border.
The NCB alerted the Border Security Force (BSF) and multiple places in Gangarampur and Balurghat in South Dinajpur were raided.
“We found that many of the ampules were sourced from across the city as well as localities around the areas where we conducted the raids,” said the officer.
Three men have been arrested and an NCB officer said they were trying to track down other members of the gang.
“We will question them to find out more about their modus operandi and their associates,” the officer said.
The arrested men have been charged under the NDPS Act.