Kathmandu, April 20

Police raided three medical stores in Balkhu and Bafal, and arrested their owners for allegedly selling controlled drugs without doctors’ prescription today.

Plainclothes cops carried out a search in Balkhu-based Karki Medical Hall and held its owner Gopal Karki, 30, with 158 capsules of tamadol. Similarly, another 2,070 capsules were confiscated from Purnima Stores run by him in the same area. Officials said other prescription drugs were seized from Karki.

Separately, police arrested Suman Khanal, 40, the owner of Bafal-based Saubhagya Medical Hall. As many as 500 capsules of tramadol and other controlled pharmaceutical drugs were confiscated from the medical outlet.

Officials said police had stepped up surveillance of suspected pharmacies in Kathmandu. As per the laws, pharmacies are required to maintain an inventory of such drugs.