The Central Bureau of Narcotics (CBN) seized 66,79,980 psychotropic tablets and arrested one person after intercepting a truck on the Chandigarh–Baddi interstate route on 27 August 2026, under Operation Vajra 2.0, according to an official statement from the Ministry of Finance. The consignment — comprising Alprazolam, Tramadol, Nitrazepam, and Clonazepam — was being transported without any requisite statutory documentation.

How the Operation Unfolded

The CBN's Madhya Pradesh (MP) Unit, acting on intelligence developed by its Neemuch unit, mounted sustained surveillance on the route. After maintaining overnight vigilance, the team intercepted a suspicious SML Isuzu Sartaj truck bearing a Uttar Pradesh registration and moved it to a secure location for a detailed search.

The carton-by-carton examination continued for more than 14 hours through the night, with inventory, examination, and sealing proceedings running into the early hours. One suspect has been arrested under the relevant provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.

Deliberate Concealment of Supply Chain

Preliminary examination revealed several deliberate measures apparently adopted to conceal the illicit supply chain and evade regulatory tracking. Batch numbers, manufacturing dates, and expiry dates had been erased from a substantial quantity of blister strips and boxes, according to the ministry statement.

Further, a substantial quantity of medicines bore the marking 'Not to be sold in Punjab Haryana State' — yet were being transported into the region without valid supporting documents such as invoices or E-way bills. Officials described the operation as a major inter-state pharmaceutical diversion racket.

Wider Enforcement Picture in 2026

This seizure is part of a broader enforcement surge by the CBN this year. According to the ministry, the bureau has booked 197 cases and arrested 272 persons involved in illicit drug networks in 2026 alone. It has also busted 6 clandestine laboratories engaged in synthetic drug manufacturing.

Cumulatively, CBN's enforcement actions this year have resulted in the seizure of approximately 51,000 kg of various NDPS drugs, along with 12,72,00,000 tablets and capsules of psychotropic medicines — figures that underscore the scale of the synthetic drug trafficking challenge facing Indian enforcement agencies.

Investigation Ongoing

Intensive follow-up investigation is underway to identify and dismantle the upstream manufacturing and supply channels, as well as the downstream distribution network linked to this diversion. Authorities are working to identify other persons and entities associated with the illegal trafficking of these psychotropic medicines. Further arrests are possible as the probe widens.