Drug peddler held with Nitrazepam tabs

T’puram: The excise special squad here on Wednesday arrested a 20-year-old man, who was in possession of narcotic

drugs

. The police identified the accused as Visakh alias Vichu of Ananthashayanam House near Industrial Estate, Pappanamcode.

The accused was held from Karimadom Colony under Fort police station limits in the city. The officials also seized over 100 tablets of

Nitrazepam

– a hypnotic drug used to treat anxiety disorders and insomnia. Substance abusers use it as a cheap alternative for costly narcotic drugs.

The arrest was a result of the vigil maintained by the excise as part of a drive launched in view of Christmas–New Year season.

According to excise inspector T R Mukesh Kumar, the accused was a habitual offender who had several cases of robbery and drug peddling registered against him. “He is suspected to have secured the drugs from pharmacists in Amaravila in Tamil Nadu, where they don’t strictly demand doctor’s prescription to sell the drug,” he said.

A team comprising of circle inspector S Vinod Kumar, excise inspector T R Mukesh Kumar, preventive officers Madhusoodhanan Nair, Hari Kumar, Krishnaraj, Moncy and civil excise officers Subin, Jaseem, Jithesh, Rajesh, Binu, Sreelal and Vanitha Rani made the arrest. tnn