Agency The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has seized 5 lakh tablets of Tramadol and Alprazolam, valued at Rs 20 crore, and arrested five people. These actions were taken during investigations into a group that was illegally moving pharmaceutical drugs across parts of Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
According to a statement released on Sunday, the seizures and arrests were made during three operations carried out since May. The operations took place in Dehradun and Jaspur in Uttarakhand, and in Muzaffarnagar, Bareilly and Saharanpur in western Uttar Pradesh.
The NCB found that a milk seller from Uttar Pradesh had rented out his wholesale drug license to the group for Rs 5,000 per month. The agency said the group used fake wholesalers and misused drug sale licenses.
The investigation began on May 12, when NCB conducted a raid at a medical store in Vikasnagar in Dehradun, where officials recovered 594 Tramadol tablets and arrested one individual.
During interrogation, the arrested person revealed further details about the network, leading the NCB to identify additional individuals involved in the operation. As the investigation progressed, both a supplier and a peddler were subsequently traced and taken into custody.
The NCB found that two medical firms, M/s S.M. Enterprises in Muzaffarnagar and M/s Balaji in Bareilly, were used to buy and sell drugs without proper documents.
Acting on further information, the NCB raided a warehouse where officers recovered 4,74,480 Tramadol tablets and 24,000 Alprazolam tablets stored without authorisation.
Additionally, on July 25, the NCB arrested a man named Upendra Pal from the Gagalhedi area of Saharanpur and recovered 954 Tramadol tablets and 720 Alprazolam tablets from his possession.
On August 1, 2025, NCB officers intercepted a man in the Jaspur area of Uttarakhand who was driving a Swift Dzire car bearing registration number UK18K5493, and upon searching the vehicle, they recovered 25,600 Tramadol tablets, which were later traced back to the same firm based in Bareilly.
According to the NCB, the drug network operated through the use of fake wholesalers and the misuse of drug sale licenses to divert pharmaceutical drugs to various locations, and efforts are currently underway to identify and apprehend the main individual behind the operation.
Tramadol is a drug used to treat pain. Since 2018, it has been listed as a psychotropic substance in India, and its sale is monitored by the NCB.
Alprazolam is a prescription drug that is sometimes misused for recreational purposes or mixed with local alcoholic drinks like toddy.
Crackdown Across Borders: NCB Nabs ₹20 Cr Pharma Drugs in UP–Uttarakhand Operation
In a significant anti-narcotics operation, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has dismantled a major pharmaceutical drug trafficking network operating across Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. The agency seized over 5 lakh tablets of Tramadol and Alprazolam—valued at approximately ₹20 crore—and took five individuals into custody.India TodayETPharma.comThe Week
Three-Step Sting: From Dehradun to Saharanpur
The crackdown unfolded in three coordinated phases beginning in May 2025, spanning multiple key locations:
Early May – Dehradun (Vikasnagar)
A routine raid at a medical store led to the seizure of 594 Tramadol tablets and the arrest of an individual, triggering a larger probe.India TodayNewsnation EnglishMid-Phase – Warehouses in UP
The investigation revealed the syndicate was using fake wholesale companies—notably M/s S.M. Enterprises in Muzaffarnagar and M/s Balaji in Bareilly—to divert drugs. A milk vendor in UP had rented out his wholesale drug license to the group for just ₹5,000 per month. In raids on linked warehouses, authorities seized a staggering 4,74,480 Tramadol tablets and 24,000 Alprazolam tablets.India TodayNewsnation EnglishTV9 BharatvarshLater Raids – Jaspur and Saharanpur
On July 25, NCB arrested Upendra Pal in Saharanpur, recovering 954 Tramadol and 720 Alprazolam tablets from him. Then, on August 1, in Jaspur, Uttarakhand, they stopped a car carrying 25,600 Tramadol tablets, traced back to the Bareilly-linked firm.India TodayNewsnation EnglishTV9 Bharatvarsh
Modus Operandi: Fake Firms and Rented Licenses
The syndicate’s operations were built on deception:
Fake wholesaler companies created merely to facilitate the diversion of regulated pharmaceuticals.
A milk vendor leasing his wholesale drug license, bypassing legal checks while the real wholesale firms were fictitious.India TodayTV9 BharatvarshThePrint
These tactics enabled large-scale illegal distribution under the facade of legitimacy.
Victims of the Illegal Trade: What Are Tramadol and Alprazolam?
Tramadol: A synthetic opioid-like painkiller, formally designated as a psychotropic substance in India since 2018.ETPharma.comThe Week
Alprazolam: A prescription anti-anxiety medication, frequently misused recreationally or mixed with local alcoholic beverages.ETPharma.comThe Week
While intended for medical relief, when diverted through criminal networks, these medications can fuel abuse and addiction.
Arrests & Ongoing Investigations
The NCB has arrested five individuals connected to the network. Investigations remain ongoing to identify and apprehend the mastermind orchestrating the syndicate.India TodayETPharma.comThe Week The agency has also tapped local law enforcement and anti-narcotics units to intensify follow-up actions.ETPharma.comNewsnation English
Why This Matters
| Factor | Implication |
|---|---|
| Massive Volume & Value | Seizure of 5 lakh tablets worth ₹20 crore indicates a network capable of wide-reaching distribution. |
| Systemic Loopholes | Exploiting fake firms and rented licenses reveals regulatory vulnerabilities needing urgent reforms. |
| Public Health Risk | With high abuse potential, diversion of these drugs contributes directly to substance misuse crises. |
| Collaboration Crucial | Success owed to coordinated intelligence and operations across state and zonal jurisdictions. |
Looking Ahead: A Stronger Front Against Pharma Crime
To prevent recurrence:
Tighten licensing: More rigorous vetting and auditing of wholesalers.
Regular inspections: Frequent checks on drug stores and warehouses.
Awareness campaigns: Inform medical professionals and the public about misuse patterns.
Law enforcement collaboration: Better data-sharing between NCB, STF, and state agencies.
In Summary
The NCB’s successful dismantling of a pharma-drug syndicate spanning UP and Uttarakhand shines a spotlight on a growing threat: the misuse of legitimate drug channels for illegal trade. Seizing over 5 lakh controlled tablets valued at ₹20 crore and arresting five suspects was a major win. However, closing regulatory loopholes and strengthening surveillance remain essential to curb such crimes going forward.https://theworldfinancialforum.com/participate/
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