Kanchanpur: Fifteen individuals have been arrested by the District Police Office in Kanchanpur for unlawfully operating pharmacies within the span of a month. Superintendent of Police (SP) Kamal Thapa has stated that cases related to narcotic drug abuse have been registered against those involved in the illegal operation of pharmacies and unauthorized provision of treatments.

SP Thapa emphasized that a campaign has been initiated to shut down these illegal pharmacies, which have been operating without proper licenses for several years. He expressed concern over the sale and distribution of life-threatening drugs in the area, emphasizing that these activities are being conducted without the necessary licenses.

The administration is actively working to hold those responsible for the unlawful operation of pharmacies accountable by utilizing the country's laws related to narcotic drug abuse. According to the District Police Office in Kanchanpur, a total of 15 pharmacy operators have been arrested and had cases filed against them within a one-month period.

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

However, two pharmacy operators managed to evade arrest. Birendra Raj Pant from Bhimdutta-16 in Basantapur and Ram Bahadur Bista from Bhimdutta-13 in Sajha Chuaraha are currently absconding. During the raid, the police confiscated 94 types of drugs from Pant's pharmacy and 125 types of drugs from Bista's pharmacy.

Earlier, the police had arrested 11 pharmacy operators in the Dodhara Chandani and Bhimdutta municipality areas. During the raids, it was discovered that the pharmacy operators were selling drugs without a license, operating medical facilities without proper names and signage, and keeping potentially life-threatening medicines ready for sale in their pharmacies, as informed by the police.