ED Raids 4 Locations In Drug Abuse Case Linked To Punjab De-Addiction Centres

Last Updated:July 18, 2025, 13:42 IST

ED has found that BNX (Buprenorphine/Naloxone), a critical medication used in the rehabilitation of drug addicts, was supplied for abuse.

Mumbai is also among the four locations where raids were conducted (Representative image/@PunjabPoliceInd)

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) carried out searches at four locations including Chandigarh, Ludhiana, Barnala, and Mumbai, as part of a money laundering investigation into the illegal sale of de-addiction drugs by private rehabilitation centers in Punjab on Friday.

The probe was linked to Dr Amit Bansal, who operates 22 de-addiction centers across the state. The ED initiated its investigation based on multiple FIRs registered by the Punjab Police against Dr Bansal and others.

According to officials, private de-addiction centers are authorized to administer BNX (Buprenorphine/Naloxone), a critical medication used in the rehabilitation of drug addicts. However, the ED has found that these medicines were allegedly diverted for abuse, with excessive usage leading to new forms of drug addiction.

Dr Bansal allegedly misused his position and the facilities of his centers to illegally sell BNX drugs.

It is also alleged that Drug Inspector Rupinder Kaur assisted Bansal by submitting false inspection reports that concealed the pilferage of these controlled medicines.

As part of its broader investigation, the Enforcement Directorate also raided the offices of Rusan Pharma Limited — the company that manufactures BNX — over suspicions of its involvement in the diversion of the drug.

The agency is pursuing the case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), and more developments are expected in the coming days.

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