In a major development, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) of Jalandhar unit on Thursday announced on X that it conducted raids at office and residential premises belonging to Amit Bansal, Rusan Pharma Limited and Drug Inspector Roop Preet Kaur.
The raids were carried out at 4 locations situated in Chandigarh, Ludhiana, Barnala and Mumbai. This action was taken in connection with the money laundering investigation related to illegal sale of BNX (Buprenorphine/Nalaxone).
ED is investigating BNX drugs illegal sale by 22 private de-addiction centers in Punjab. These drugs are used for the rehabilitation of drug addicts, but they are also misused for drug abuse.
As per reports, ED has frozen an amount of Rs 21 crore in bank accounts in the case of illegal sale of drugs. ED has taken this action after raiding 22 closed de-addiction centers in Punjab.
These centers were run by Dr. Amit Bansal. He has already been arrested. Seven months ago, Punjab Vigilance Bureau arrested Dr. Bansal. In this, Ludhiana's drug inspector Ruppreet Kaur was made a co-accused. Later, ED took over this case.
The case is related to 22 de-addiction centers.
As per reports, the investigation includes alleged misuse of prescription drugs and illegal financial transactions related to 22 private de-addiction centers in Punjab. ED raided the de-addiction centers associated with Dr. Bansal on July 18. These centers were running at four places in Chandigarh, Ludhiana, Barnala and Mumbai.
ED is now investigating how medicines meant only for registered addicts were illegally sold and diverted. The agency is investigating whether the money from their sale was laundered.
As per reports, Chandigarh-based physician Dr. Bansal was accused of misusing Adnoc-N, a regulated combination of buprenorphine and naloxone prescribed for the treatment of opioid addiction, and selling it to unregistered drug addicts.
Although Dr. Bansal is currently on bail, all his 22 centers in Punjab and one in Chandigarh have been closed. His Chandigarh center was also sealed during the ED raid on July 18.
