Sambalpur, Nov 12: The Sambalpur Excise Department has made a major drug seizure, confiscating 2,400 bottles of cough syrup and 1,050 intoxicant tablets during a crackdown near Hatibari toll plaza on NH-53. One person has been arrested in connection with the case.

According to reports, the consignment was allegedly being transported from Jagatpur in Cuttack to Sambalpur and Bargarh in a vehicle.

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Acting on specific information about the illegal transportation of the intoxicants, the Sambalpur Excise Department kept the vehicle under surveillance. Officials intercepted it near Hatibari toll plaza in the early hours of the day and conducted a search.

During the inspection, officials recovered 2,400 bottles of cough syrup and 1,050 intoxicant tablets from the vehicle. The entire consignment was seized and one person was arrested.

The Excise Department has launched an investigation to identify the source of the contraband and its intended recipients. Officials are also probing whether more people are involved in the illegal trade and trying to trace the network behind the operation.