Latest news with #Alprazolam
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Indian Express
Punjab DSP moves high court, says govt ‘deliberately stalling' probe into 300 drug FIRs
The Punjab and Haryana High Court has sought the response of the Punjab government on allegations by a serving police officer that over 300 FIRs under the NDPS Act involving a psychotropic drug had been deliberately stalled at the 'carrier level'. The division bench of Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sanjiv Berry, however, also warned the petitioner that the public interest litigation (PIL) would be dismissed with costs if found to be frivolous. The petitioner, DSP Vavinder Kumar of the 9th PAP Battalion and a former officer with the Special Task Force (STF), has alleged that the synthetic drug 'AlpraSafe,' containing Alprazolam, is 'circulating in humongous volumes all over Punjab.' Kumar, who was booked by the Anti-Narcotic Task Force in a corruption case last year, told the court that investigations in hundreds of such cases 'have never gone beyond arresting carriers.' He claimed that while over 300 FIRs were registered in 2023 alone, 'no one has dared to pursue the trail up to the manufacturers,' despite repeated court directions to do so. Kumar said that during his tenure with the STF, he had registered an FIR (No. 31 dated February 20, 2024), at STF Police Station, SAS Nagar, in which narcotics worth Rs 275 crore and 765 kg of powder were recovered from pharmaceutical factories and godowns. He alleged the probe exposed the involvement of major pharmaceutical companies in a large-scale, organised drug manufacturing and trafficking racket. The petition further claimed that information collected from district SSPs confirmed that over 300 FIRs involving AlpraSafe were registered in 2023, yet 'in none of these cases had investigations gone beyond seizure and arrest of carriers.' Kumar cited FIR No. 23 dated January 22, 2023, registered at Sadar Amritsar City, alleging that a Rs 3 crore bribe was paid by a pharma company to a senior officer to derail the probe. In FIR 31 of 2024, he claimed, Rs 45 lakh was paid to shield owners of implicated firms. Kumar alleged he was pressured by senior officers to drop these leads and, when he refused, was transferred out of the STF and later booked in what he termed a 'false' Prevention of Corruption Act case. He has claimed that key records, including his statewide correspondence, remain in police custody and 'may have been tampered with.' Last September, Punjab Police registered a corruption FIR against him, alleging he took Rs 45 lakh from a pharmaceutical firm 'to protect it from legal consequences.' In October 2024, Justice Vinod S Bhardwaj of the high court directed the CBI to conduct a preliminary probe into his allegations and restrained the STF from further investigating the corruption FIR against him. Opposing the plea, Senior Advocate Salil Sabhlok, for the State, argued that the petition 'is a misuse of PIL to circumvent ongoing investigations.' 'He mentions 300 FIRs but none are detailed. This is in reality a personal interest litigation,' said Sabhlok. 'This is a misuse of PIL to circumvent ongoing investigations. He seeks a court-monitored probe while being himself an investigating officer in at least one case,' Sabhlok argued, citing Supreme Court rulings warning against PILs 'styled as public interest but in reality camouflage to foster personal disputes.' He pointed out that the officer himself is an accused in a corruption case involving pharma companies. Sabhlok pointed out that a CBI inquiry into FIR 31 is already pending before a single judge, and is listed for August 8.
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Drug awareness drive in Haryana goes digital with podcast series
: In a yet another digitally driven innovative move, the Haryana State Narcotics Control Bureau (HSNCB) has started a podcast series to create awareness about drugs and mobilise public opinion to combat this menace. The initiative, spearheaded by HSNCB DGP OP Singh is an attempt to connect the public with often unseen work of the police through candid conversations with officers working on the ground. (HT Photo) The initiative, spearheaded by HSNCB director general (DG) OP Singh is an attempt to connect the public with often unseen work of the police through candid conversations with officers working on the ground. In its latest episode, the HSNCB chief sat down with two deputy superintendents of police (DSPs) Jagbir Singh and Satyender to discuss some of the biggest challenges the anti-narcotics drive is facing in Haryana. The next edition of the podcast will feature officers working on rehabilitation and de-addiction initiatives, continuing the Bureau's effort to present a 360-degree view of its anti-drug mission. 'This podcast is a bridge between the public and the police, offering authentic, unfiltered narratives from ground operatives who are at the heart of this critical enforcement effort,' OP Singh said. The conversation with DSPs in two different episodes touched on the growing abuse of pharmaceutical drugs as cheaper alternatives to hard narcotics, and the complexities involved in tackling inter-state drug trafficking networks. The conversation offers listeners an insight into the operational realities of drug enforcement like the patterns, tactics, and human costs. PHARMACEUTICAL DRUG ABUSE ON RISE The one portion of the podcast zeroed in on the disturbing rise in abuse of pharmaceutical drugs such as Tramadol, Tapentadol, Alprazolam, and codeine-based cough syrups. These medications--legal when prescribed-- are increasingly being misused as substitutes for costlier and harder-to-source drugs like heroin and opium, said Singh. According to the DSP heading the HSNCB's pharmaceutical enforcement wing, peddlers are exploiting legal loopholes and vulnerable supply chains to make these drugs available on the black market. 'These tablets are cheap, easy to conceal, and often fly under the radar,' he said, adding that teenagers and first-time users are particularly vulnerable due to the low cost and easy availability. The DGP underlined the need for tighter surveillance over medical supply chains, routine pharmacy audits, and public awareness about the hidden dangers of so-called 'milder' drugs. 'The damage these pharma drugs do — to health, families, and futures — is just as devastating,' he said, adding that Haryana has seen a record number of arrests of inter-state smugglers in the past year. WHY A PODCAST, AND WHY NOW? According to Singh, there is no better way to gain public confidence than to speak directly, truthfully, and transparently. 'These podcasts allow people to hear from those who are not just in uniform, but in the thick of action,' he said, pointing out that this medium also serves as a morale booster for field operatives, whose painstaking efforts often go unnoticed. 'What they say is not filtered through headlines, agendas, or studio debates . It is the truth from ground zero. HSNCB podcast is helping demystify policing, build trust, and foster community participation in the fight against drugs.' The decision to start awareness via the podcast comes close on the heels of Haryana recording a 29% rise in serious drug-related cases registered between January and June this year under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. Police registered 1,858 first information reports (FIRs), up from 1,657 during the same period in 2024. Till June in 2025, Haryana Police registered 233 commercial quantity cases against 166 last year, showing a nearly 29% jump, as per official data.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
In a 1st, Haryana top cop launches podcast to discuss state's war on drugs
Chandigarh: In a first-of-its-kind initiative, the Director General of Haryana State Narcotics Control Bureau (HSNCB), OP Singh, on Sunday launched a podcast series aimed at bringing citizens closer to the frontline of the state's battle against drugs. The podcast, led personally by the DGP, is envisioned as a bridge between the public and the police, offering authentic, unfiltered narratives from ground operatives who are at the heart of this critical enforcement effort. The DGP hosted two deputy superintendents of police (DSPs) from HSNCB, engaging them in an insightful conversation on two of the most pressing challenges confronting the anti-drug drive in Haryana — the rising misuse of pharmaceutical drugs as affordable alternatives to hard narcotics, and the complex network of inter-state drug trafficking. Through this candid and deeply informed dialogue, the DGP offered listeners a rare glimpse into the operational realities of drug enforcement — the patterns, tactics, and human costs that rarely make it into conventional news reports. One segment of the podcast focused on the disturbing rise in abuse of pharmaceutical drugs such as Tramadol, Tapentadol, Alprazolam, and codeine-based syrups — substances that are legal under medical supervision but are increasingly being misused as substitutes for costlier and harder-to-source drugs like heroin and opium. The DSP in charge of the HSNCB's pharmaceutical enforcement wing explained how peddlers have begun exploiting legal loopholes and vulnerable supply chains to make these drugs available on the black market. "These tablets are cheap, easy to conceal, and often fly under the radar," he said, adding that teenagers and first-time users are particularly vulnerable due to the low cost and easy availability. "The damage these pharma drugs do — to health, families, and futures — is just as devastating," he said. The second half of the podcast turned the spotlight on inter-state drug trafficking — a key concern for Haryana given its strategic location. The DGP spoke with a DSP who was instrumental in tracking and intercepting smuggling routes from Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Delhi. The officer narrated several operations in which large consignments of commercial quantity narcotics were seized based on actionable intelligence, surveillance technology, and inter-agency coordination. "Inter-state trafficking is no longer just about physical movement," the officer explained. "It's a sophisticated web involving digital payments, SIM box frauds, and fake identities. We're constantly evolving to stay ahead." MSID: 122798068 413 |
Indian Express
5 days ago
- Indian Express
Man threatens flight attendant on US flight, attempts to open emergency exit midair
A domestic US flight from Omaha to Detroit was forced to make an emergency landing in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, after a 23-year-old man allegedly tried to open the emergency exit door midair, assaulted a flight attendant and issued death threats. According to a report by The New York Times (NYT), the passenger, Mario Nikprelaj from Elkhorn, Nebraska, was arrested by the local police after the aircraft touched down at Eastern Iowa Airport. He faces multiple criminal charges, including assault, disorderly conduct, harassment and unlawful possession of prescription drugs. The incident occurred aboard Flight 3612, operated by SkyWest Airlines under Delta Air Lines' regional brand Delta Connection. As NYT reported, the aircraft was carrying 67 passengers and four crew members when Nikprelaj, seated in an emergency exit row, suddenly lunged for the exit door shortly after takeoff. 'One guy is yelling: 'Hey, we need help back here! He's trying to open the door,'' the NYT quoted Jonathan Spencer Van der Waarden, a fellow passenger who was returning home to Michigan after a work trip, as saying. Speaking to the NYT, Van der Waarden added that Nikprelaj had displayed erratic behavior throughout the flight, including standing up during takeoff. A video shared with the NYT shows the suspect in a white T-shirt, hands bound behind him, being escorted off the plane by personnel of the US law enforcement. The aircraft remained grounded for over two hours as the police collected statements from passengers and crew. The NYT report further revealed that during the descent, Nikprelaj allegedly marched toward the cockpit and engaged in further altercations with passengers and crew who attempted to restrain him. 'He was just being very aggressive,' Van der Waarden told the NYT. Upon arrest, the police recovered 41 pills of Alprazolam (commonly sold as Xanax), an anti-anxiety drug, which Nikprelaj allegedly carried without a prescription or tax stamp. A criminal complaint, as per the NYT, said he may face further charges. Nikprelaj appeared before a US judge on Friday, who set his bail at $10,000. As of now, it is unclear if he has secured legal representation.
NDTV
5 days ago
- NDTV
Man Threatens Flight Attendant, Attempts To Open Emergency Exit On US Flight
A US plane bound for Omaha from Detroit was forced to make an emergency landing on Thursday (Jul 17) after a man threatened to kill a flight attendant. The 23-year-old passenger shoved the attendant and also attempted to open the emergency exit door when the plane was mid-air. As the situation escalated, the pilots landed the SkyWest Flight 612, carrying 67 passengers and four crew members, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. After the safe landing, the suspect was captured on video being escorted off the plane by police. The Cedar Rapids Police Department identified the arrested passenger as Mario Nikprelaj. He remains in custody in Linn County on a federal hold, online jail records show. He is scheduled to make his first appearance on the complaint next week at the Cedar Rapids federal court, according to a report in The New York Times. Jonathan Spencer Van der Waarden, a passenger on the flight, said Nikprelaj had exhibited erratic behaviour from the start of the journey. He unfastened his seatbelt and stood up during takeoff. Then, during drink service, Nikprelaj made a lunge for the emergency exit. Apart from assault and disorderly conduct, Nikprelaj has been charged with harassment and unlawful possession of prescription medication. He failed to affix a proper tax stamp on 41 pills of Alprazolam -- an anti-anxiety drug commonly sold as Xanax, which was found on him at the time of arrest. The authorities added that he could be charged with additional charges as well. SkyWest Airlines confirmed in a statement that the flight had been diverted "due to an unruly customer" and that the plane later continued to Detroit after that person was detained. "SkyWest has zero tolerance for unruly behaviour as safety for our customers and crew is our top priority," the airline said. Meanwhile, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) said a probe had been initiated with Nikprelaj's background being checked. "The FBI takes threats to aviation seriously and we work with our partners to address crimes occurring on commercial aircraft that endanger the safety of passengers, flight crews, and flight attendants," the FBI said in a statement.
