Bedkot, July 17: The District Police Office has taken strict action against 15 individuals for illegally operating pharmacies, leading to the registration of cases within a month.

Superintendent of Police (SP) Kamal Thapa highlighted that these cases were related to narcotic drug abuse, as the unauthorized pharmacies were providing treatment without proper authorization.

In response to the concerning situation, SP Thapa revealed that an ongoing campaign was initiated to shut down these illegally operated pharmacies, some of which have been running for years. The area’s residents were at risk as life-threatening drugs were being sold and distributed without the necessary licenses.

The administration is determined to prosecute those responsible by applying the relevant laws on narcotic drug abuse.According to data from the District Police Office Kanchanpur, 15 pharmacy operators were arrested, and cases were filed against them in a single month.

During a recent raid conducted in the Bhimdutta municipality area, Nepal Police apprehended four pharmacy owners, including Bimala Upadhyay of Bhimdutta municipality-7, Rajendra Bahadur Chand of Bhimdutta-16, Majhgaun, Suresh Pandey of Bhimdutta-10, Sukasal, and Mohan Bahadur Rokaya from the same place.

However, two pharmacy operators, Birendra Raj Pant of Bhimdutta-16, Basantapur, and Ram Bahadur Bista of Bhimdutta-13, Sajha Chuaraha, managed to escape, as reported by the police.Substantial amounts of drugs, 94 types from Pant’s pharmacy and 125 kinds from Bista’s pharmacy, were seized by the police during the operation.

Earlier, 11 pharmacy operators from Dodhara Chandani and Bhimdutta municipality areas had been arrested for selling drugs without licenses, operating medical facilities without proper identification, and storing life-threatening medicines ready for sale.