ED Arrests Jalandhar Medical Agency Owner in Rs 3.75 Crore Psychotropic Drug Trafficking Case

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) in Jalandhar has arrested Abhishek Kumar on charges related to illegal trafficking of psychotropic substances. The arrest occurred on Tuesday under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, following investigations into the unlawful sale of psychotropic tablets including Tramadol and Alprazolam.

Chandigarh authorities confirmed that Kumar was presented before the Special PMLA Court in SAS Nagar, which granted the ED a six-day custody period for further investigation.

Through his business, Shree Shyam Medical Agency, Kumar allegedly obtained bulk quantities of controlled substances from wholesalers and sold approximately 75 percent through illegal channels. Investigators found that he deliberately inflated legal sales records to mask these unauthorized transactions, accumulating approximately Rs. 3.75 Crore in illicit cash proceeds.

The investigation began after the Punjab Police registered an FIR under the NDPS Act, 1985, concerning widespread interstate trafficking of psychotropic medications. The ED subsequently conducted searches across 16 related premises, uncovering substantial incriminating evidence.

The ED's investigation revealed a network where wholesalers and retailers were acquiring psychotropic tablets from several pharmaceutical manufacturers, including Biogenetic Drugs Pvt. Ltd, CB Healthcare, Smilax Pharmachem Drug Industries, Aster Pharma, and Soul Health Care (1) Pvt. Ltd.

According to officials, these controlled substances were subsequently diverted to black market channels, where they commanded prices significantly above retail values, generating substantial illegal profits for the involved parties.