JAMMU, JULY 20, KDC: A special enforcement team of the Drug and Food Control Organisation (DFCO) Jammu today intercepted and seized 28,800 capsules of Pregabalin (300 mg), aimed at curbing illegal trafficking of habit-forming formulations.
The seized scheduled drugs, sold under the brand name Devanyl-300, carry an estimated market value of ₹10 lakh. The operation followed intelligence received from Jhajjar Kotli Police Station, Jammu, which had intercepted a passenger bus en route from Amritsar, Punjab to Katra carrying an unauthorised commercial quantity of the restricted drug.
A team of drug officials was dispatched to Jhajjar Kotli Police Station under the supervision of State Drugs Controller J&K Rajesh Kumar. The raid team was led by Assistant Drug Controller Jammu Sanjeev Kumar Gupta and comprised Drug Control Officers Amit Bali and Amit Mahajan.
Upon reaching the spot, the team conducted an inventory and verification. As those transporting the consignment failed to produce valid drug licences, purchase invoices or authorised medical prescriptions, the entire stock was seized on the spot.
An investigation has been launched to trace the illicit supply chain, identify the manufacturing source in Punjab and uncover the intended distribution network in Katra and surrounding areas.
State Drugs Controller J&K Rajesh Kumar said legal proceedings are being initiated against the violators under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, warning that any individual or firm found complicit in diverting scheduled formulations for non-therapeutic or abusive purposes will face strict legal action.
Commissioner FDA J&K Khalid Jahangir said the government remains committed to protecting public health and curbing drug abuse, adding that enforcement drives and intelligence-based inspections will continue across the Union Territory to identify and act against individuals and establishments involved in illegal drug distribution networks.
The Drug and Food Control Organisation has appealed to the public to report any information on illegal sale, diversion, hoarding or misuse of prescription medicines to the department so timely action can be taken against violators. (KDC)
