Uttar Pradesh Police has launched a major crackdown on illegal codeine cough syrup trafficking. DGP Rajeev Krishna revealed extensive details of the operation, the multi state network involved, and the arrests made so far.
UP Police cracks down on major illegal codeine syrup trafficking network.
Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Police has initiated a large scale operation against illegal codeine based cough syrup trafficking across the state. On Sunday, Director General of Police Rajeev Krishna held a press briefing in Lucknow and shared comprehensive details of the crackdown. He said the joint action was crucial to curb the rapidly increasing misuse of codeine syrup as a narcotic substance.
According to the DGP, the operation is being conducted in coordination with the Food Safety and Drug Administration. Preliminary findings indicate that the supply chain for illegal codeine syrup extends beyond Uttar Pradesh and involves multiple states. The police are analysing inputs received from neighbouring regions and acting on intelligence shared from various sources.
DGP Krishna noted that codeine based cough syrup has become a preferred addiction for many due to its easy availability and quick psychoactive effects, making the dismantling of the network a priority for law enforcement agencies.
During the investigation, major links emerged from districts such as Sonbhadra, Ranchi and Ghaziabad. The police seized one truck loaded with codeine syrup in Sonbhadra and four trucks in Ghaziabad, indicating large scale and organised trafficking.
The DGP clarified that although a consignment seized in Madhya Pradesh did not have a direct connection with the UP network, the information received from that operation has helped investigators expand their inquiry.
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Providing updates on the actions taken, DGP Krishna said that 128 FIRs have been registered across the state related to illegal codeine trafficking. Out of five major stockists under the police radar, three have already been arrested.
A total of 32 accused individuals have been taken into custody, including key players such as Saurabh Tyagi, Bhola Jaiswal and Vibhor Rana. The police recovered several documents and records from these accused that reportedly show large scale unauthorised supply networks and links to other traders.
In Ghaziabad, officials uncovered that illegal sales of codeine syrup reportedly generated almost Rs 7 lakh per day, demonstrating the scale of the black market and the strong demand among users.
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To strengthen their crackdown, Uttar Pradesh Police is also examining the licenses, stock records and purchase histories of wholesale medicine distributors across 40 districts. Officials believe that some traders may have knowingly supplied codeine based syrup to unauthorised buyers or participated in diversion of stocks meant for legitimate medical use.
The DGP said that the operation will continue until the entire network is dismantled. Police teams have been instructed to intensify surveillance, increase inter state coordination and pursue all individuals associated with the trade.
He emphasised that the state government is committed to making Uttar Pradesh drug free and no leniency will be shown toward those involved in drug trafficking. The detailed briefing made it evident that the police are tightening their grip on narcotics networks and moving ahead with a determined strategy to eliminate drug mafias from the state.
