Mira-Bhayander: The crime branch has refuted claims of “zombie drugs” being circulated in the area after investigating a viral video showing a man in a trance-like state on a road in Bhayander.Panic had gripped residents in the region after the video was widely shared on social media on April 13, sparking rumours of “zombie drugs” being sold in the area. A probe launched by the Mira-Bhayandar Vasai-Virar (MBVV) crime branch, however, found that no such drug menace exists, and the man was, in fact, abusing a prescription medicine.The MBVV crime branch officials scanned CCTV footage and conducted technical analysis to trace the man. “We identified the person as a 22-year-old Nepalese citizen Samir Raval. He works as a labourer and lives in Borivli,” said a senior official.During questioning, Raval revealed he had consumed multiple tablets of Pregabalin, a scheduled drug used as an anticonvulsant and analgesic medication to treat neuropathic pain, partial-onset seizures and generalised anxiety disorder. Its side effects include drowsiness, difficulty concentrating, among others.The police also confirmed that Raval had purchased the tablets from a local medical store without a valid prescription.The authorities have now alerted the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to take action against the pharmacy for violating norms and selling a scheduled drug without proper prescription. Officials emphasised that no “zombie drug” was involved in the case and urged citizens not to spread unverified rumours. “This was a case of medicinal drug misuse, not an emergence of any new narcotic threat,” a senior officer said.
