3-layer drug network busted in Bhopal:Minors changed labels, City Colony served as supply hub for Rs 1.5-Crore cough syrup trade

The Special Task Force (STF) has busted a major narcotic cough syrup network operating in Bhopal’s Gandhinagar area. Ten people, including alleged mastermind Akil Khan and three minors, have been arrested for allegedly pushing children and young people into drug abuse. Property owner Akash Bhatia is also under the STF scanner. Investigators said Akil had recruited nine people into the network, assigning specific roles to each member. While some handled supply operations, others were responsible for packaging. Dobara Patel City Colony in Gandhinagar and Mubarakpur had allegedly been turned into hubs for the illegal cough syrup trade. According to STF DIG Rahul Lodha, consignments were supplied from City Colony to various parts of Bhopal and nearby districts. Akil Khan allegedly managed vehicle loading and distribution operations and exercised complete control over the illegal business. The STF said it raided a house in Dobara Patel City Colony on the intervening night of Thursday and Friday. During the operation, around 50,000 bottles of narcotic cough syrup were seized. The recovered stock is estimated to be worth nearly Rs 1.5 crore. The entire illegal business was divided into 3 teams The investigation revealed that the operation functioned as a well-organised network divided into three separate teams. Each team was assigned specific responsibilities to avoid detection by police and regulatory authorities. Akil Khan and two of his associates were identified as key members of the network. Along with three associates, Akil allegedly handled the supply of narcotic cough syrup across Bhopal city and nearby rural areas. Loading vehicles were used to transport consignments from one location to another. Separate responsibilities for stock, transport and packaging A second group of four accused was allegedly responsible for maintaining stock, transporting consignments and changing product packaging. Investigators said the group frequently shifted locations to avoid police action. The STF believes the network had been operating for a long time and was being run in a highly organised manner. Minors were made to do packaging and work According to the STF, minors were being used in the illegal operation. Three children were allegedly assigned tasks such as packaging cough syrup bottles, replacing wrappers and organising stock. Officials said the minors had been drawn into the illegal trade, and efforts are underway to identify those ultimately responsible for involving them in the operation. Supply to market after changing wrappers Investigators found that the accused allegedly removed the original labels from the cough syrup bottles and replaced them with different wrappers to conceal their identity. The repackaged products were then supplied to markets across Bhopal and neighbouring districts. Samples of the seized syrup have been sent for laboratory testing. Search Operation in Mubarakpur, Looking for New Locations Based on information provided by the arrested accused, STF teams are conducting extensive search operations in the Mubarakpur area. Officials suspect that large quantities of illegal cough syrup and key evidence linked to the network may still be hidden there. Investigators are now working to trace the entire supply chain. Two Accused Absconding, Two Teams Formed for Arrest Two accused remain absconding in the case. The STF has formed two special teams to track them down and is conducting raids at suspected hideouts. Authorities are using technical surveillance and location tracking to trace the suspects. Investigators believe their arrest could lead to further revelations about the wider network. Landlord and tenant also under investigation scanner The STF will also question Jaideep Singh, the owner of the house from where 50,000 bottles of cough syrup were recovered. Investigators said proper tenant verification procedures were allegedly not followed before the property was rented out. Investigation of entire supply chain continues According to STF officials, the operation is not limited to a single house or locality but points to a larger organised network operating across the state. The investigation is now focused on identifying the source of the narcotic cough syrup, those involved in repackaging it and the districts where it was being distributed. What has emerged in STF investigation so far