Has UP Government Formed an SIT to Investigate Codeine Syrup Smuggling?
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Synopsis
The Uttar Pradesh government is taking decisive action against the illicit trade of codeine cough syrups by forming a Special Investigation Team (SIT) after significant drug seizures and arrests. This move aims to dismantle a network suspected of operating across multiple states and potentially internationally.
Key Takeaways
- Uttar Pradesh government has formed an SIT for drug investigation.
- Significant arrests made in connection with codeine syrup smuggling.
- Illegal drug flow suspected from Nepal and Bangladesh.
- 279 suspects identified across 28 districts.
- No reported fatalities linked to codeine-based syrups.
Lucknow, Dec 8 (NationPress) The government of Uttar Pradesh has established a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to tackle the illicit trading of codeine-based cough syrups and other narcotic medications after significant seizures and arrests across various districts within the state.
Principal Secretary (Home) Sanjay Prasad and DGP Rajeev Krishna indicated that this smuggling operation encompasses several districts and is believed to have both inter-state and international connections.
In a press briefing, DGP Krishna emphasized that the administration's focus is on strengthening its anti-drug initiatives.
“Collaborative teams from the police, STF, and FSDA have recently uncovered major inconsistencies within the supply chain, including diversion and black market activities involving codeine syrups,” he stated.
During a targeted operation, the UP STF apprehended nine principal suspects: Dharmendra Kumar Vishwakarma, Pawan Gupta, Lekhpal Anand, Vishal Rana, Vishal Singh, Jitendra Kumar, Sajeev Kumar, Amit Kumar Singh, and Amit Tat. They seized substantial amounts of illegal stock and counterfeit documentation.
In the Lucknow zone, authorities registered 11 cases, leading to the arrest of suspects Rupesh Rai and Pawan Rastogi. In the Bareilly zone, four cases were filed, resulting in the arrest of Atul Kumar and Rakesh Rastogi.
In the Gorakhpur zone, 10 cases were reported, with three individuals—Neeraj Dixit, Ali Sher Mehrab, and Mohammad Aftab—being detained. The Varanasi zone saw two cases filed, leading to the arrest of four suspects: Atri Ram, Vishal Jaiswal, Babar Ahmed, and Azad Singh.
Barely three days ago, the Sonbhadra police confiscated 119,675 bottles of codeine syrup from two trucks and detained three smugglers: Hemlata Pal, Brajmohan Shivhare, and Ramgopal Dhakad. An additional 13,400 bottles transported from Ranchi, Jharkhand, were also seized.
A collaborative operation involving the Ghaziabad and Sonbhadra police led to the recovery of 157,350 bottles, with eight more individuals—Sohan Tyagi, Shadab, Shekhar alias Bem, Salim Khiri, Anas Malik, Jitendra Singh, Deepak Kumar, and Sushil Yadav—being arrested, as reported by the DGP.
Initial investigations indicate that the illegal influx of these drugs may be originating from Nepal and Bangladesh into Uttar Pradesh.
Documents retrieved suggest that numerous medical stores, distributors, and wholesalers participated in procuring and selling codeine syrups through fake prescriptions and falsified records.
Commissioner of the Uttar Pradesh Food and Drug Administration, Dr. Roshan Jacob, confirmed that no fatalities linked to codeine-based syrups have been reported in the state so far. She assured that prompt action is being taken against illegal storage, unauthorized sales, and distribution based on fraudulent prescriptions.
Thus far, 279 suspects have been identified, and 128 cases have been documented across 28 districts under various sections of the BNS, NDPS Act, and Drugs and Cosmetics Act. Furthermore, numerous drug licenses have been either suspended or revoked.
Point of View
NationPress stands firmly in support of initiatives aimed at eradicating drug trafficking and protecting public health. The formation of an SIT by the Uttar Pradesh government reflects a necessary commitment to combatting drug abuse and trafficking, ensuring the safety and well-being of citizens across the nation.
NationPress
09/12/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of the SIT formed by the UP government?
The SIT aims to investigate and dismantle the illegal trade of codeine-based cough syrups and other narcotic medicines.
How many arrests have been made in relation to this case?
So far, 279 suspects have been identified and multiple arrests have been made across various districts.
Are there any reported fatalities linked to codeine syrups in UP?
No deaths due to codeine-based syrups have been reported in Uttar Pradesh as of now.
What actions is the government taking against illegal drug sales?
The government is taking swift actions against illegal storage, unauthorized sales, and distribution based on forged prescriptions.
What areas are most affected by this drug trafficking?
Multiple districts in Uttar Pradesh have been affected, including Lucknow, Bareilly, Gorakhpur, and Varanasi.
