Ahmedabad police seize 387 codeine syrup bottles, arrest one in Vasna
Synopsis
A 32-year-old man was caught transporting 387 bottles of codeine-based cough syrup by auto-rickshaw in Ahmedabad's Vasna area — the latest arrest under the city police's 'No Drug in City' campaign. Coming days after the SOG intercepted 5,050 such bottles at the General Post Office, the cases together suggest an organised supply chain that Ahmedabad police are now actively targeting.
Key Takeaways
Ahmedabad City Police arrested Shahnawaz alias Delhi Mohammad Iliyas Ansari , 32 , on 22 August 2025 from the Vasna area.
387 bottles of Triprolidine Hydrochloride and Codeine Phosphate cough syrup, valued at ₹1,01,007 , were recovered.
Total seized property — including a mobile phone and auto-rickshaw — was valued at ₹1,51,507 .
Case registered at Vasna Police Station under Sections 8(c) and 21(c) of the NDPS Act .
Earlier in August, the Ahmedabad SOG seized 5,050 bottles of codeine syrup from the city's General Post Office , indicating a wider trafficking network.
Ahmedabad City Police arrested a 32-year-old man on 22 August 2025 after recovering 387 bottles of codeine-based cough syrup from his possession in the Vasna area, with the total value of seized property estimated at ₹1,51,507, officials said. The operation forms part of the city police's ongoing 'No Drug in City' campaign targeting the illegal sale and movement of narcotic and intoxicating substances.
How the Operation Unfolded
The seizure was triggered by a tip-off received by Head Constable Vikrambhai Narubhai, after which a team led by Police Sub-Inspector H.M. Gohil moved in during a patrol at around 9:50 pm. According to officials, the informer indicated that the accused was transporting the bottles by auto-rickshaw for sale near the lane of Garib Nawaz Hotel, close to Kuba Masjid in Guptanagar.
Police detained the accused, identified as Shahnawaz alias Shanu alias Delhi Mohammad Iliyas Ansari, a resident of Ronak Park Society behind the APMC Market in Vejalpur. Along with the 387 bottles of Triprolidine Hydrochloride and Codeine Phosphate cough syrup, police also seized one mobile phone and the auto-rickshaw used for transportation.
Value of the Seized Goods
Each bottle was valued at ₹261, placing the total value of the cough syrup alone at ₹1,01,007. Including the mobile phone and auto-rickshaw, the aggregate value of all seized property stood at ₹1,51,507, according to officials.
Case Registered Under NDPS Act
A case has been registered at Vasna Police Station under Sections 8(c) and 21(c) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. Investigation is currently underway, officials confirmed.
Part of a Wider Crackdown in Ahmedabad
This seizure comes amid heightened scrutiny of codeine-based cough syrup trafficking across the city. Earlier in August, the Ahmedabad Special Operations Group (SOG) seized 5,050 bottles of codeine phosphate-based cough syrup from parcels intercepted at the city's General Post Office, booking alleged members of an unlicensed supply chain under the NDPS Act. The two incidents together point to an organised distribution network operating within and around Ahmedabad, with enforcement agencies intensifying efforts to dismantle it.
Point of View
One on a street corner — suggest this is not opportunistic peddling but a supply chain with reach. The NDPS Act charges are serious, but the real question enforcement must answer is where the bottles originate: licensed pharmacies diverting stock, or unlicensed manufacturers? Until the supply end is addressed, street-level arrests will remain a game of whack-a-mole. The 'No Drug in City' campaign deserves credit for sustained pressure, but its success will ultimately be measured by how far up the chain the cases travel.
NationPress
24 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was seized in the Ahmedabad Vasna drug bust?
Police seized 387 bottles of Triprolidine Hydrochloride and Codeine Phosphate cough syrup, valued at ₹1,01,007, along with a mobile phone and an auto-rickshaw. The total value of all seized property was ₹1,51,507.
Who was arrested in the Ahmedabad codeine syrup case?
The arrested individual is Shahnawaz alias Shanu alias Delhi Mohammad Iliyas Ansari, a 32-year-old resident of Ronak Park Society behind the APMC Market in Vejalpur, Ahmedabad.
Under which law was the case registered?
A case was registered at Vasna Police Station under Sections 8(c) and 21(c) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, which deals with the possession and sale of controlled substances.
What is the 'No Drug in City' campaign?
It is an Ahmedabad City Police initiative focused on monitoring and curbing the illegal sale and movement of narcotic and intoxicating substances across the city. The 22 August seizure was conducted as part of this campaign.
Is this the first such codeine syrup seizure in Ahmedabad recently?
No. Earlier in August, the Ahmedabad Special Operations Group seized 5,050 bottles of codeine phosphate-based cough syrup from parcels at the city's General Post Office. The two cases together point to an organised supply network operating in Ahmedabad.
