Medicines Worth ₹10 Crore Seized in Nalbari Linked to Theft
Major Drug Recovery in Nalbari
The medicines were found at a house belonging to Nibaran Barman
Nalbari, Oct 24: Authorities recovered medicines valued at approximately ₹10 crore from a residence in Balikaria, Nalbari, on Saturday. This discovery is believed to be associated with a theft that occurred at a pharmaceutical warehouse in Guwahati.
The drugs were located in the home of Nibaran Barman, where Labanya Barman has reportedly served as a caretaker for several years.
Labanya claimed ignorance regarding the arrival of the medicines, stating that the owner had merely informed him that someone would be dropping off some items.
“I have no idea who brought these items. The owner called me to say someone would be delivering things here. I don’t know what was inside; I don’t handle or open any of these packages,” Labanya explained.
This recovery is suspected to be linked to the theft of medicines from Macleods, a pharmaceutical company, which occurred during the Durga Puja festival.
Saurav Leela, who manages the company’s Guwahati office, reported that the theft was discovered on October 22, when staff reopened the warehouse after a three-day closure for the festival.
“When we opened on October 22, we noticed several items were missing. Upon investigation, we learned the theft happened on October 19. The security guard mentioned that three individuals from our office had come and informed him that the warehouse was being relocated, which they used as a cover to remove some of the stock,” Leela stated.
Three employees, identified as Rahul Yadav, Punanda Das, and Utpal Baruah, who are allegedly involved in the theft, surrendered on Friday morning.
“On Thursday, I received a call indicating that the three employees had taken the stock and wished to surrender. They came to my house on Friday morning, and we subsequently took them to Basistha Police Station, where the investigation is ongoing. We are here today to evaluate the recovered items,” he added.
Leela further accused Apurva Das, a former employee with 17 years of service, of being the mastermind behind the theft.
More information is anticipated as the police investigation continues.