Sambalpur: Changing Trends in Intoxication; Cough Syrup Boxes Replace Liquor in Wedding Processions, Illegal Trade Continues Despite Police-Excise Raids

Sambalpur: The drug abuse situation in Sambalpur is worsening, and this time, it’s not alcohol but cough syrup that’s taking center stage. During a recent wedding procession, some youths were seen openly consuming cough syrup directly from boxes instead of liquor. This unusual scene was witnessed last Wednesday at a local wedding event.

Illegal Intoxication on the Rise

According to sources, illegal drug trade, especially involving cough syrup, is increasing day by day in Sambalpur. Over the past few years, the misuse of cough syrup for intoxication has become alarmingly common in the district.

Even though police and excise officers conduct frequent raids, they have failed to crack down on the main drug mafia behind this illegal trade. At times, authorities arrest a few individuals just for public show, but the underground trade continues unchecked.

Cough Syrup Arriving from Kolkata via Train

Large quantities of liquid substances and empty bottles used for cough syrup are arriving in Sambalpur by train from Kolkata. Although the excise department receives this information, they have taken no strong action so far.

Initially, raw liquid material and bottles come in separately. Later, in Sambalpur, local operators mix intoxicating tablets into the liquid, bottle it as fake cough syrup, and then package it for distribution to other districts and regions.

Smuggling in Small Quantities to Avoid Detection

To avoid suspicion from police and excise officials, the main dealers smuggle the syrup in small quantities. Even when raids happen, officials usually seize just 10 to 15 bottles, hardly enough to stop the racket.

The cough syrup mafia continues to dominate the business and tightly controls its operations.

Shift in Wedding Traditions: From Alcohol to Cough Syrup

Traditionally, alcohol was commonly consumed by the groom’s party during weddings. However, in Sambalpur, this trend is changing. This time, instead of liquor, entire boxes of cough syrup were taken along with the groom’s entourage. Once they reached the bride’s home, the bottles were opened, shared, and consumed.

Excise Department Failing to Act

The public is raising serious concerns. While people are somehow able to purchase entire boxes of cough syrup illegally, the excise department continues to fail in arresting the actual mafia behind this trade.

Videos are circulating on social media showing the harmful effects of cough syrup addiction, yet authorities remain inactive. In recent months, the department has not taken any strong or consistent action.

Occasionally, they arrest a few individuals during festivals just to show they are working, but those arrested soon get bail and return to business without fear.

Public Demands Strong Action

Now, ordinary citizens are demanding that instead of chasing small-time sellers, the excise department should go after the real masterminds, the mafia who run the illegal cough syrup business.