Lookout notice issued against cough syrup racket kingpin in UP
UP cough syrup racket: Lookout notice issued against ‘kingpin’ Shubham Jaiswal, bounty raised to Rs 50,000
The Uttar Pradesh Police have intensified their action against a large illegal cough syrup trafficking network that was operating across several states and even outside India. The racket involved the illegal trade of codeine-based cough syrup, which is commonly misused as an intoxicant. Police have now issued lookout notices against the main accused and increased the cash reward for his arrest.
The alleged leader of the racket, Shubham Jaiswal, is currently absconding. The police have raised the reward on him to Rs 50,000. Earlier, the reward amount was Rs 25,000. Officials said the decision was taken after new evidence emerged showing his key role in running the illegal operation. He is accused of managing procurement, storage, transport, and sale of large quantities of banned cough syrup.
The action comes after detailed investigations by the Varanasi Police Commissionerate. Based on their request, the Bureau of Immigration has issued lookout notices to prevent the accused from fleeing the country. These notices allow authorities to track and stop the suspects at international airports and seaports.
According to police officials, the network was well organised and carefully planned. The accused used fake pharmaceutical companies to obtain cough syrup legally on paper, but later sold it illegally. The police believe the racket was active for a long time and involved large financial transactions.
Fake firms and cross-border links under investigation
Lookout notices have been issued against five accused in total. Apart from Shubham Jaiswal, the other accused named in the notices are Divesh Jaiswal, Akash Pathak, Amit Jaiswal, and another associate. All of them are currently on the run. Police teams are conducting raids at multiple locations to trace them.
Investigators have found that the accused created several fake pharmaceutical companies under different names. These companies were used to place bulk orders for cough syrup from manufacturers. On paper, the purchases appeared legal, but in reality, the products were diverted into the illegal market.
Police said these fake firms were also used to hide money earned from the illegal trade. Financial records and transaction details are being examined to trace the flow of money and identify more people linked to the racket. Officials believe that the network involved multiple layers, including suppliers, transporters, distributors, and local sellers.
One of the most serious findings in the case is the link to cross-border smuggling. Authorities have found strong evidence that the cough syrup was not only sold within India but was also smuggled into Bangladesh. The smuggling was allegedly carried out through a well-planned supply chain that ensured smooth movement of goods across borders.
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Police said the network handled procurement, transport, and distribution in a systematic way. Different members were responsible for different roles, making it difficult to detect the operation at an early stage. However, sustained investigation and intelligence gathering helped uncover the entire chain.
In a related case, the Sonbhadra Police have issued a separate lookout notice against Nishant Kumar Gupta, also known as Ravi Gupta. He is a resident of Bhadohi district and is suspected to have played a role in the same trafficking network. His involvement is currently under investigation.
Officials also confirmed that lookout notices were already in place against Shubham Jaiswal and another accused, Vishal Upadhyay from Saharanpur, in earlier cases. The new notices aim to further tighten surveillance and ensure that none of the accused manage to escape abroad.
Police authorities said strict action will be taken against everyone involved in the illegal trade. They added that the misuse of codeine-based cough syrup poses a serious threat to public health and safety. Such drugs are often abused, especially by young people, leading to addiction and other health problems.
The Uttar Pradesh Police have urged the public to share any information related to the accused or the racket. They assured that informants’ identities would be kept confidential. The investigation is ongoing, and more arrests are expected in the coming days.
With the issuance of lookout notices and an increased reward, police hope to arrest the main accused soon and completely dismantle the trafficking network. Authorities have reiterated their commitment to cracking down on drug-related crimes and preventing illegal substances from reaching the public.
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