Barabanki, Lucknow emerge as narco-pharma hotspots in UP

Uttar Pradesh has witnessed a spurt in seizures of psychotropic substances over the past two years, with state capital Lucknow and its neighbouring Barabanki emerging as the epicentres of the crackdown, official data shows.

- PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

From consignments of Alprazolam running into lakhs of tablets to recoveries of Tramadol, Buprenorphine, Codeine and even raw powder used for tablet making, officials of the Central Bureau of Narcotics (CBN) said the seizures point to an organised illicit pharmaceutical network that has spread in parts of UP.

Such drugs are seized as illegal trade can cause dependency and addiction in some, and in worst cases overdose and death.

Alprazolam, Tramadol, Buprenorphine and Codeine are controlled under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, which empowers agencies like the CBN to intercept, seize, and prosecute offenders involved in their diversion, trafficking, or illicit manufacturing.

According to official data accessed by PTI, Barabanki has repeatedly turned up as a major hub. In 2024 alone, multiple raids led to the seizure of huge stocks of Alprazolam and NRx medicines, often in the range of 60,000 to 3.2 lakh tablets at a time.

The trend continued into 2025, with the district also recording recoveries of Alprazolam powder, indicating its use in clandestine processing and tablet manufacturing.