Bhagalpur, July 24: Police have launched a search for BJP leader Promod Prabhat after nabbing three of his relatives in connection with a midnight raid on the leader's medicine shop on July 22.

Recovery of Corex cough syrup, along with 44 types of narcotic (Schedule H) drugs, without any proper valid licence from Sai Medicos prompted the action against Prabhat and his family. Also on their radar are illegal businesses that have started flourishing after the prohibition of liquor was implemented. Petty crime has also increased in the same period.

Bhagalpur senior superintendent of police (SSP) Manoj Kumar said: "During the recovery, three persons were arrested and forwarded to jail. We have started a massive manhunt for Prabhat, who is absconding. Bhagalpur drug inspector Satendra Kumar has lodged a case against the accused under sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985."

"After the liquor ban, many addicts have taken to drugs, which are being sold at double or triple price," the SSP added.

Sai Medicos is located near the SSP's residence in Tilka Manjhi. Sources said many medical shops in Sujaganj market had been selling drugs such as Corex syrup at high prices clandestinely.

The SSP had convened a special meeting with the local druggists' association and all medical shop owners on July 8. "I had urged them not to sell drugs without doctors' prescription and to maintain a separate record for sale of such drugs. But Sai Medicos violated that," he said.

All police stations have been directed to keep vigil on such illegal businesses.