Authorities across Uttar Pradesh and several neighboring states have intensified their crackdown on the illegal trade of codeine-based cough syrups, a development that has sent shockwaves through the region’s pharmaceutical and law enforcement sectors. The campaign, described by officials as one of the most comprehensive anti-drug operations in recent years, targets a sprawling criminal network responsible for the illicit manufacture, storage, and sale of these potent medicines, which are increasingly being diverted for recreational use.
On December 12, 2025, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) launched extensive raids at 25 locations, spanning key cities such as Lucknow, Varanasi, Jaunpur, and Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh, as well as sites in Ranchi and Ahmedabad, according to Devdiscourse. These operations are tied to a high-profile money laundering probe under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, focusing on an illegal cough syrup trade racket believed to have generated crime proceeds worth an estimated Rs 1,000 crore.
The investigation centers on properties linked to Shubham Jaiswal, the main suspect, and his alleged accomplices, Alok Singh and Amit Singh. The illegal trade involves codeine-based cough syrups—medicines that, though meant for therapeutic use, have become a sought-after intoxicant on the black market. The ED’s multi-state operation marks a significant escalation in efforts to dismantle the financial and logistical backbone of this illicit enterprise.
Simultaneously, Uttar Pradesh authorities have launched a large-scale enforcement drive against the illegal manufacture, storage, and sale of these cough syrups, following explicit directions from Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. As reported by the press in Lucknow, this campaign is being jointly implemented by the Food Safety and Drug Administration Department and the Uttar Pradesh Police, with strict action being taken under existing drug control and narcotics laws.
Principal Secretary (Home) Sanjay Prasad emphasized the state government’s “zero-tolerance approach towards prohibited medicines that pose risks to public health.” He clarified that, according to official data, no deaths linked to codeine-based cough syrups have been reported in Uttar Pradesh so far. Nonetheless, the scale and urgency of the crackdown reflect widespread concern about the social and health impacts of these drugs when misused.
To ensure a thorough investigation, authorities have constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by an Inspector General of Police, with officers from the drug administration included in the panel. Director General of Police Rajeev Krishna stated that, as part of the ongoing anti-drug initiative, cases have been registered against 128 medicine establishments and traders across 28 districts. Over the past two months, coordinated operations involving district police, the UP Special Task Force, anti-narcotics units, and drug inspectors have led to the seizure of large quantities of illegally traded cough syrup.
Investigations, based on inputs from the Central Narcotics Bureau, have extended well beyond Uttar Pradesh to manufacturing units in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, depots in Haryana, and a major stockist in Jharkhand. Officials have been poring over records related to production, storage, sales, and distribution, seeking to untangle the complex web of suppliers and distributors that fuel this underground market.
In districts such as Lucknow, Kanpur, Varanasi, and Ghaziabad, codeine-based syrups were allegedly sold without prescriptions or licenses, with some establishments suspected of illegally selling hundreds of thousands of bottles. Food Safety and Drug Administration Secretary Roshan Jacob noted that during the campaign, 279 establishments were inspected, and in several instances, cough syrups were found to be diverted for use as intoxicants rather than for legitimate medical purposes.
"Enforcement will continue against those involved in illegal storage, fake stock, and unauthorized sales," Jacob stated, underscoring the government’s determination to root out the problem at every level. Police data shows that among the registered cases, the highest numbers originated from Varanasi, Aligarh, Kanpur, and Ghaziabad. Multiple arrests have been made across different zones, while notices have been issued to others as investigations proceed.
Large consignments were seized in Sonbhadra, Ghaziabad, and Ranchi during recent operations, highlighting the organized nature of the network and its cross-border links to Nepal and Bangladesh. The scale of the operation has prompted authorities to announce the formation of a state-level SIT to conduct a detailed financial investigation, trace supply chains, and review progress in all ongoing cases.
Officials have also initiated action against individuals accused of spreading misleading information on social media, including the registration of an FIR in Varanasi. This move reflects a broader effort to counter misinformation and maintain public confidence in the state’s anti-drug initiatives.
The crackdown is not limited to Uttar Pradesh alone. As reported by the Devdiscourse News Desk, the Enforcement Directorate’s raids in Ranchi and Ahmedabad signal the national scope of the investigation. The ED’s focus on money laundering highlights the financial sophistication of the racket, which allegedly involves laundering proceeds through a web of shell companies and illicit bank transactions.
According to officials, the probe has revealed that the illegal trade of codeine-based cough syrups is not merely a local issue but part of a larger, well-organized criminal enterprise with tentacles stretching across state lines and international borders. The involvement of multiple agencies—from the Food Safety and Drug Administration to the Central Narcotics Bureau and the Enforcement Directorate—underscores the complexity and seriousness of the challenge.
Despite the aggressive enforcement measures, authorities remain vigilant about the potential for the illegal trade to adapt and resurface in new forms. The state government’s insistence on a “zero-tolerance” approach is matched by ongoing efforts to strengthen regulatory oversight, improve coordination between agencies, and raise public awareness about the dangers of misusing codeine-based medicines.
For many in the pharmaceutical industry, the crackdown is a wake-up call. The diversion of legitimate medicines for illicit use not only undermines public health but also threatens the credibility of the sector as a whole. As the investigation unfolds, industry leaders and policymakers alike will be watching closely to see whether these efforts can deliver lasting change.
As the campaign against the illegal cough syrup trade gathers pace, the message from authorities is clear: there will be no let-up in the fight against those who profit from endangering public health. The coming weeks and months promise to bring further revelations—and, perhaps, a new chapter in India’s ongoing battle against pharmaceutical crime.