The Excise Department seized narcotics substances, including 1,000 tonnes of fake tobacco products, estimated to cost ₹800 crore during 2018, said Excise Commissioner Rishi Raj Singh. Mr. Singh called for measures to check the over-the-counter (OTC) sale of prescription drugs by medical shops. The Excise Department has noticed in many recent cases that drugs being smuggled in were not for consumption in the State. “Kochi has emerged as a strategic transit point in drugs smuggling probably owing to its proximity to sea route. There seems to be a shift in smuggling of drugs from the Middle East to East Asian countries like Malaysia, Philippines and Vietnam,” Mr. Singh said.

Source: The Hindu January 04, 2019 13:52 UTC