India’s enforcement agencies have intensified their crackdown on the illegal codeine-based cough syrup trade, uncovering an extensive interstate network involving fake licenses, shell firms, corrupt insiders and large-scale money laundering. Coordinated actions by the Enforcement Directorate, Uttar Pradesh Police and Special Task Force have led to mass seizures, arrests and the formation of a Special Investigation Team to dismantle the syndicate.
The probe, which spans multiple districts in Uttar Pradesh and extends to other states, has revealed how regulated medicinal syrups were diverted for non-medical use and trafficked through clandestine channels.
The Enforcement Directorate carried out searches at 25 locations across Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand and Gujarat between December 12 and 13, 2025. The searches followed the registration of a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act based on multiple FIRs filed by Uttar Pradesh Police.
Officials confirmed that the raids targeted properties linked to alleged key accused Shubham Jaiswal, his chartered accountant Vishnu Aggarwal, dismissed Uttar Pradesh police constable Alok Singh, and associates Amit Singh and Vishal Singh.
During the searches, the ED seized 46,891 bottles of codeine-based cough syrup from an office in Lucknow. Investigators also recovered financial documents, digital devices and records suggesting the use of forged drug licenses, fake addresses and shell entities to route proceeds from illegal sales.
The agency stated that around 30 FIRs registered across Uttar Pradesh form the basis of the money laundering probe. Investigators believe the racket operated through a structured supply chain that procured cough syrups in bulk and diverted them for unauthorized distribution, including alleged cross-border trafficking.
In response to the scale of the racket, the Uttar Pradesh government constituted a Special Investigation Team on December 9, 2025. The SIT is headed by Inspector General of Police LR Kumar and includes senior officers from the Special Task Force and other specialised units.
The team has been tasked with submitting a comprehensive report within one month. Senior officials, including the Principal Secretary Home and the Director General of Police, stated that the SIT will focus on mapping the entire supply chain, identifying regulatory loopholes and fixing accountability.
Joint operations by the Uttar Pradesh Police, STF and Food Safety and Drug Administration revealed widespread misuse of pharmaceutical distribution channels. Authorities confirmed that 128 cases have been registered across 28 districts, with 279 accused identified so far under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, NDPS Act and Drugs and Cosmetics Act.
The investigation has resulted in some of the largest seizures of codeine syrup in the state.
In Sonbhadra, police intercepted two trucks and seized 1,19,675 bottles of codeine-based cough syrup. Three accused, Hemlata Pal, Brajmohan Shivhare and Ramgopal Dhakad, were arrested in the case.
Another operation led to the seizure of 13,400 bottles transported from Ranchi in Jharkhand. In a joint action by Ghaziabad and Sonbhadra police, authorities recovered 1,57,350 bottles and arrested eight accused. Those arrested include Sohan Tyagi, Shadab, Shekhar alias Bem, Salim Khiri, Anas Malik, Jitendra Singh, Deepak Kumar and Sushil Yadav.
Officials stated that the syrups were meant for legitimate medical use but were diverted using forged documents and illegal billing practices.
The crackdown also extended to retail-level facilitators. On December 14, 2025, police arrested Sarvansh Verma, owner of Swati Medical Agency in Saidpur area of Ghazipur district.
Investigators alleged that Verma generated fake bills for codeine-based cough syrup without actual procurement or lawful sale. The fabricated records allegedly helped the syndicate divert syrups into the illegal market. Verma was booked under the NDPS Act, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act.
Officials described the arrest as a key link in exposing how licensed medical stores were misused to legitimize illegal movement of narcotic-based medicines.
In Varanasi, police arrested warehouse caretaker Rohit Kumar Yadav following the seizure of a consignment valued at approximately Rs 60 lakh. Yadav reportedly disclosed that the warehouse was linked to Manoj Yadav, an associate of alleged kingpin Shubham Jaiswal.
Authorities later announced cash rewards of Rs 25,000 each for information leading to the arrest of Shubham Jaiswal and his associate Mahesh Singh. Police confirmed that 93,750 bottles were recovered from a warehouse linked to the duo on November 19, 2025.
Despite multiple arrests, Shubham Jaiswal remains absconding. Investigators believe he may be abroad, and the process to secure his return has been initiated.
Authorities have warned pharmaceutical distributors and medical store owners to comply strictly with licensing conditions, billing norms and prescription requirements, stating that violations will invite stringent action.
The SIT and ED investigations are ongoing, with further arrests and seizures expected as agencies continue to unravel the full extent of the network.
(Rh/ARC)