In a significant crackdown on the illegal pharmaceutical trade, the Pimpri Chinchwad crime branch has arrested a 24-year-old man with a criminal history for allegedly selling a prescription-only injection without authorization. The accused, identified as Tejas Waydande from Vetalnagar in Chinchwad, was taken into custody following a specific tip-off.
Seizure and Serious Charges
Acting on the intelligence, a crime branch team apprehended Waydande from the Thergaon Phata area. During the operation, the police successfully recovered 23 vials of mephentermine sulphate injection, with an estimated market value of Rs 67,000. A case has been formally registered against him at the Wakad police station.
The charges are severe and have been framed under the new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The specific sections invoked are:
- Section 278: Sale of a drug as a different drug or preparation.
- Section 123: Causing hurt by means of poison.
- Section 125: Act endangering life or personal safety of others.
A Repeat Offender with a Dangerous Trade
Investigations revealed that Waydande is not a first-time offender. An officer from the Wakad police confirmed that the accused already has 14 criminal cases registered against him, including charges related to robberies and thefts. His venture into the illegal drug trade adds a more dangerous dimension to his criminal profile.
According to Assistant Police Inspector Ambarish Deshmukh of the Wakad police, the modus operandi was distinctly modern. Waydande allegedly procured the vials from an e-commerce platform, placing orders and making payments online. He would then identify potential customers through digital means and sell the injections illegally.
Why is This Injection Dangerous?
API Deshmukh explained to TOI that mephentermine sulphate injection IP is a medically prescribed drug intended for patients suffering from critically low blood pressure. Its sale without a valid prescription is strictly prohibited due to serious health risks.
The injection is known to have severe side-effects, which include:
- Drowsiness and incoherence
- Hallucinations
- Convulsions
- Slow heart rate
Deshmukh highlighted the alarming reasons behind its illicit demand. "The injection is illegally being used by body builders to achieve better physical performance. Some people even use it to get high," he stated. This misuse poses a significant threat to public health and safety.
Ongoing Investigations and Source Tracing
The police probe has uncovered that this was not a one-off incident. "Investigations so far revealed that the accused earlier too, ordered the injections and sold them," the officer said. The authorities are now intensively investigating the supply chain to trace the source on the e-commerce platform and identify all individuals involved in the distribution network. The case remains under active investigation as police work to dismantle this illegal operation fully.
