A six-month investigation by the NCB has led to the arrest of eight individuals and the discovery of an illegal pharma lab in Haridwar involved in large-scale drug trafficking.
An investigation that began with a parcel seized at a Delhi courier facility in January 2025 has led the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) to uncover a large-scale drug trafficking network operating out of Haridwar. On June 6, officials dismantled a clandestine pharmaceutical manufacturing unit in Sidcul, Haridwar, exposing the illegal production of psychotropic drugs. The lab was functioning without a valid license and was supplying controlled substances for non-medical use.
The Delhi Zonal Unit of NCB used a bottom-to-top approach to trace the origin of the intercepted drugs, starting with the seizure of 3.6 kg of Codeine Phosphate tablets. Over the next few months, coordinated follow-up searches were carried out in Delhi and Ghaziabad. These efforts led to the recovery of over 9 kg of Alprazolam, 2.3 kg of Codeine Phosphate, 10,000 tablets of various controlled medicines, 1.3 kg of Pseudoephedrine, and more than 130 kg of raw materials.
The operation spanned Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, and initial findings suggest links to international networks. A total of eight arrests have been made so far. Authorities believe the substances were being produced in bulk for illegal trade and distributed through courier networks.
This incident follows a similar crackdown by the NCB Amritsar Zonal Unit in May 2025, where a drug cartel was disrupted across Punjab and neighboring states. That operation resulted in drug seizures worth ₹547 crore and 15 arrests.
As investigations continue, NCB has called for public support to identify and report narcotics activities. Citizens can contact the National Narcotics Helpline at 1933, with assurance that all reports will remain confidential.
Through ongoing enforcement and surveillance, the NCB aims to break drug networks and uphold efforts toward a drug-free society.
