420 kg of banned sedative chloral hydrate seized in Maharashtra, 3 arrested

The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has seized 420 kg of chloral hydrate, a banned sedative that is used for toddy adulteration, in Maharashtra's Pune district, and arrested three people in connection with the seizure.

On the basis of actionable intelligence developed from a 2023 Alprazolam lab bust, two NCB teams conducted surveillance on a group suspected of trafficking Alprazolam. In the early hours of September 5, three people, namely Nilesh Bangar, Naveen B and Rajesh R, were intercepted while exchanging contraband at a bus stop.

During the search, around 420 kg of chloral hydrate was recovered. Since chloral hydrate is not a scheduled substance under the NDPS Act, 1985, the contraband was handed over to the Maharashtra State Excise Department, under whose jurisdiction the substance falls.

In a follow-up search at the residence of accused Naveen B at Borivali in Mumbai, a small quantity of chloral hydrate was also seized and handed over to the state excise department.

According to excise officials, the arrested individuals are history-sheeters linked to a toddy-adulteration syndicate, and their arrest marks a significant disruption of this illicit network.

There is growing concern regarding adulteration of toddy in states like Telangana, where up to 95 per cent of toddy sold has been reported to be laced with sedatives such as Alprazolam, Diazepam and chloral hydrate, turning the traditionally mild beverage into a serious public health hazard.

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