Senior IPS Officer Exposes Police Involvement in Madhya Pradesh's Narcotic Cough Syrup Trade

Bhopal:

A senior IPS officer has made stunning allegations that have rocked Madhya Pradesh's police force, claiming that officers themselves are deeply involved in trafficking narcotic cough syrups. Gaurav Rajput, Inspector General of Rewa Range, delivered these explosive remarks during the launch of "Operation Prahar 2," an anti-narcotics initiative on Monday, casting serious doubt on the integrity of the state police.

"I possess a list of policemen who are contaminating the system like fish polluting water. Should this list become public, their families would face humiliation," the IG stated before a gathering of hundreds of officers.

This wasn't merely a rebuke but a serious accusation. For the first time, a high-ranking police official has publicly confirmed long-circulating rumors throughout Madhya Pradesh—that drug networks flourish not in spite of police presence, but because of their active participation.

Rajput spoke bluntly about station heads and officers allegedly protecting the narcotics trade. "It's simply impossible that intoxicating cough syrup bottles are everywhere while station heads remain unaware. They are either intentionally blind or complicit," he declared.

The officer's candid comments follow several significant drug seizures in Rewa that indicate a multi-crore illegal narcotic syrup operation extending from Bhopal to Delhi.

This week alone, authorities confiscated 1,920 bottles of narcotic cough syrup from a Skoda vehicle in Rewa city, valued at Rs 7.3 lakh, arresting three suspects. During Diwali and the following day, an additional 3,634 bottles were seized alongside three vehicles, collectively worth nearly Rs 12 lakh.

Yet, Rajput's evident frustration suggests these enforcement actions are insufficient and possibly designed more to conceal involvement than to truly reform the system.

IG Rajput issued a stern warning to his personnel: "Reform yourselves, or face the consequences of your actions."

"Within 15 days of this campaign, whatever happens to such individuals will happen, but remember, I'll be deeply saddened to see them bearing a garland of shame before society," he added.

Rajput described Rewa's alarming drug situation in stark terms. "This narcotic cough syrup has infiltrated every village, street, and neighborhood," he emphasized. "Understand how extensive this problem has become."

"The period for justifications has ended. Neither negligence nor complicity will be tolerated. If you've been entrusted with a police station, you must eliminate medical drug abuse from its jurisdiction," he insisted.

The IG also referenced Punjab's former DGP, citing a newspaper article published that morning.

"Today's newspaper features an article about Punjab's former DGP. It details what happened to his own son. Even a DGP's household and family couldn't remain protected from drug influence," he noted.

Rewa's drug network has already reached influential circles.

Deputy Chief Minister Rajendra Shukla and Rewa MP Janardan Mishra have both instructed police to suppress the trade.

However, the IG's statement reveals a troubling contradiction: While senior leadership issues directives, local station commanders are allegedly providing protection to drug traffickers.

Rewa, previously celebrated for its temples and tiger sanctuaries, is now increasingly known as Madhya Pradesh's 'Corex Capital'—referring to the prohibited cough syrup central to this operation. The codeine-laced syrup is inexpensive, highly addictive, and alarmingly popular among youth.