Bhubaneswar, Oct. 14 -- In a major crackdown against narcotics smuggling, Sambalpur Police have busted a large-scale illegal cough syrup trading racket, official sources said on Tuesday.

Acting on a late-night tip-off, Bareipali Police intercepted a pickup van near Mesinkata Chhak and seized around 5,100 bottles of codeine-based cough syrup - a substance often misused as a narcotic.

The consignment was being illegally transported from Cuttack to Sambalpur in a pickup van and a car. A total of 20 individuals have been arrested in connection with the case, and further investigations are underway to trace at least four more suspects.

Police have also seized Rs 40,920 in cash and five high-end mobile phones from the accused. The estimated ...