Thane: Thane Crime Branch’s anti-extortion cell arrested a 26-year-old man for allegedly possessing and attempting to sell codeine-based cough syrup illegally in the Rabodi area of Thane (W), officials said.The action was carried out on March 24 following a tip-off received by police personnel, indicating that a suspect would be arriving near a bridge on Saket Road with a stock of prohibited pharmaceutical substances. Acting on the input, a team laid a trap at the spot and apprehended the accused. The accused, identified as Mohammad Sarfaraz Ismail Sayyed, a native of Uttar Pradesh, was found carrying a bag containing 120 bottles of Anrex cough syrup (100 ml), which contains codeine phosphate and triprolidine—substances regulated due to their potential misuse. Police said the accused did not possess any valid licence or documents for storing or selling the medicines. A mobile phone and other materials were also seized, taking the total value of the recovered items to Rs 35,835. A case was registered at Rabodi police station.
