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Ghaziabad exposed as a major hub in a massive codeine syrup racket. Over 1.7 lakh fake bottles seized, key operatives arrested, and links stretching across India to Nepal and Bangladesh what secrets lie behind this sprawling illegal network?
Exclusive report by Dynamite News on Codeine syrup racket
Ghaziabad: What began as a localised illegal trade in codeine-based cough syrup in Uttar Pradesh’s Sonbhadra district has now surfaced as one of North India’s largest drug rackets. The network, investigators say, is not limited to UP alone it stretches across Bihar, Jharkhand, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, West Bengal, and further into Nepal and Bangladesh.
A major hub of this syndicate has recently been uncovered in Ghaziabad, from where large quantities of counterfeit cough syrup were allegedly being supplied. Our team reached the spot for an exclusive ground-zero report.
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A few days ago, police and the crime branch raided a large warehouse in Ghaziabad’s Nandgram police station area. During the operation, authorities recovered more than 170,000 bottles of fake codeine-based cough syrup. The warehouse was immediately sealed, and eight suspects were arrested and sent to jail.
According to officials, the syrup was being used by addicts as an intoxicant. The gang allegedly distributed the counterfeit product across multiple states, taking advantage of porous inter-state routes to expand their illegal trade.
The warehouse that was busted is believed to be a key link in a much larger codeine mafia operating across North India. As investigations by the police, STF, and SIT intensify, more layers of the network are being exposed.
When our team reached the location, the warehouse was completely shut. Situated in a secluded area with little movement around, the atmosphere remained tense. Locals avoided speaking on camera, adding to the sense of fear surrounding the operation.
Investigations reveal that the gang allegedly procured cough syrup using fake licences issued in the name of non-existent pharmaceutical companies. These bottles were then relabelled and distributed across states primarily to UP and Bihar and later smuggled further to Nepal and Bangladesh.
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The alleged mastermind behind the network is Shubham Jaiswal, who has been absconding for months.
On-ground operations were reportedly handled by Ajay Jaiswal, while two close associates of Shubham Amit Singh Tata and Alok Singh have already been arrested. Investigators have also found links connecting them to a powerful leader from eastern Uttar Pradesh.
As the SIT’s probe continues to expand, authorities expect more major names from this dark and sprawling illegal trade to surface. The investigation from Ghaziabad, reported by Nitin Parashar, marks a critical step in exposing the full scale of this codeine smuggling network.
