Pharmacist selling sleeping pills to youth without prescription arrested

Coimbatore: A pharmacist, who was selling sleeping pills without prescription to youngsters to be used as sedatives, was arrested by police in Coimbatore on Tuesday.

Acting on a tip off on sale of ‘sedative’ pills to youth near omni bus stand area, a team of police from Rathinapuri station rushed to the spot and arrested Dhanasekaran, (28), a resident of Subash Nagar in Ganapathy area.

Police seized 7 kg of tablets worth Rs 1 lakh from his possession for illegal sale. Inquiries revealed that Dhanasekaran, who was working in a pharmacy on FCI Road in Ganapathy took to the crime over the last two years to make some quick buck.

“During Covid-19 pandemic, when Tasmac shops remained closed, youngsters frequented his pharmacy to buy such tablets. A tablet, which costs Rs 10, was sold in the black for Rs 200 to Rs 300 without a doctor’s prescription,” police said.

Police also shut down the pharmacy, where Dhanasekaran was employed.

Police said the youngsters, mainly college students mix these tablets in water and inject them with a syringe to get a feeling of high, while ignoring the health risks involved.

Further inquiry is on to find out if anyone else was also involved in the offence.