Two women, including a senior citizen, held in cough syrup selling racket

THANE: The Thane Anti-Narcotics Cell arrested two women in connection with a cough syrup selling racket. They were found assisting the two accused arrested in the case who were found in possession of 1,772 cough syrup bottles worth Rs 2.04 lakh in Bhiwandi.
Police said that Shital Dharkar, a resident of Vapi and Zerunissa Ansari, a senior citizen from Bhiwandi, were reportedly involved in the supply chain of the racket and were selling the bottles to youngsters.

Previously, the arrested two, Asgar Ansari and Sayeed Momin, found with cough syrup bottles in a flat at old Gauripada in Bhiwandi. "The accused are habitual offenders and sold the bottles to addicts of substance abuse. The effect of the syrup stays for long. This is very common in the belt of Mumbra-Bhiwandi and other parts of the district," said a police officer.

"This seems to be a well-oiled cartel that is operational in and around Thane and has links in Gujarat from where it is distributed. A couple of distributors are also on radar of the investigators for pilferage of the stock," added the police officer.