2 weeks Ago By Tushar Tere
Vadodara: The recent massive seizure of painkillers 's stock has exposed a startling truth—many history-sheeters are gulping these pills before committing burglaries or loots to numb themselves from pain. This revelation came to light when the Vadodara Special Operation Group (SOG) uncovered a racket involved in the illegal sale of prescription drugs in the city, seizing drugs worth over Rs 15 lakh. Investigation revealed that the history-sheeters consume these drugs to temporarily kill the pain from fall or public thrashing endured while committing crimes like burglary , theft, chain-snatching or robbery.
Police arrested two men for selling ‘tramadol hydrochloride' and codeine syrup illegally to various groups in the city. "During interrogation, we learnt tramadol hydrochloride pills were sold to criminals too, mostly involved in burglaries and loot. Investigations revealed that the criminals consume these pills right before executing a loot or robbery," said SD Ratada, police inspector, SOG.
"There is always a risk of getting caught while breaking into any house or robbing someone. If they get caught and get a thrashing from the public, these pills shield them from the pain. The painkiller also comes in handy if they get injured while committing the crime.
These pills are prescribed by doctors usually to treat extreme pain," Ratada told TOI. The accused arrested in the present case have been identified as Vipul Rajput and Keyur Rajput, both owners of medical stores in the city. The duo used to sell tramadol hydrochloride, codeine syrup, and alprazolam illegally by flouting rules and without proper prescriptions.
"We seized tramadol hydrochloride tablets worth Rs 15.57 lakh from the duo, apart from codeine and alprazolam worth the same amount. We are now trying to track down the criminals to whom they sold the pills," Ratada added.
Dr Gautam Amin, a city-based psychiatrist, said, "Consuming tramadol hydrochloride doesn't just reduce pain but also gives a person a euphoric feeling. Its effect lasts from 24 to 48 hours, so those consuming it can endure pain for that period easily. It's an addictive medicine, but an overdose can have severe side effects too.
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