A pharmacy at Kovaipudur in Coimbatore was sealed on Tuesday (July 14, 2026) after a joint inspection by the city police and the Drugs Control Department found that it was selling prescription narcotic and sedative tablets to youngsters and students without valid medical prescriptions.Acting on specific information that a pharmacy in the Kuniyamuthur police limits was illegally selling habit-forming drugs to youth, a joint team led by D4 Kuniyamuthur Police Inspector K. Kamatchinathan and officials of the Joint Drug Committee conducted a surprise inspection at Meena Medical, located on CBM College Road in Kovaipudur.During the inspection, the officials found the pharmacy dispensing Tapentadol, a prescription opioid painkiller, and Alprazolam, a prescription sedative, without prescriptions from registered medical practitioners. The authorities said the drugs were sold illegally to youngsters and students, posing a serious threat to their health and encouraging substance abuse.Following the inspection, officials sealed the pharmacy. The Coimbatore City Police issued a warning to all pharmacies in the city, stating that the sale of scheduled drugs, painkillers and psychotropic medicines without a valid prescription is a serious offence under the law. Pharmacies found violating the rules would face cancellation of licences and criminal prosecution. Police also warned that stringent legal provisions, including the possibility of detention under the Goondas Act where applicable, would be invoked against habitual offenders. Published - July 14, 2026 06:57 pm IST