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A major illegal codeine cough syrup trafficking network has been exposed in Saharanpur, India. Investigations by ED and STF revealed fake pharma firms, cancelled licenses, interstate operations, and international links extending to Bangladesh.
Black-market network dealing in illicit cough syrup has been uncovered
Saharanpur: A large and organized network involved in the illegal smuggling of codeine-based cough syrup has been busted in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh. This network was operating under the guise of a legitimate pharmaceutical business but was actually involved in drug trafficking.
The operation involved a joint effort by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), the Lucknow STF (Special Task Force), and the Saharanpur Food Safety and Drug Administration.
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During the investigation, GR Trading Company in Saharanpur came under suspicion. The drug department found that the company had been closed for almost a year and no pharmaceutical business was being conducted there.
No company official was present at the premises during the inspection. Only a guard confirmed that there had been no activity at the company for a long time.
Notices sent by the department were also returned, making it clear that the rules were being deliberately violated. Following this, both drug licenses of GR Trading were canceled with immediate effect.
The STF investigation revealed that the sale of codeine-based cough syrup was being shown on paper under the name of GR Trading, while in reality, the consignment was being illegally supplied to Bangladeshi smugglers.
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The company's license was in the name of Vibhor Rana, and the entire network was being operated on this basis. A case has been registered against Vibhor Rana at the Sushant Golf City police station in Lucknow under serious sections, including fraud, forgery, and criminal conspiracy.
According to the investigating agencies, fake medical firms were created in Haridwar and Delhi to conceal the smuggling. The supply of medicines was shown on paper in the name of these firms, while the actual goods were illegally smuggled out.
Several people from different states were involved in this network, each responsible for different areas of operation.
The ED raided the residence of the Rana brothers in Shastri Nagar, their associated company Abbott Healthcare, and other locations. CRPF personnel were deployed for security during the operation.
The agencies seized sales registers, stock records, GST documents, bank transaction papers, mobile phones, laptops, and several other suspicious documents. Employees were also subjected to lengthy questioning.
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The interrogation revealed that this gang was not limited to Uttar Pradesh. Its network extended to Uttarakhand, Bihar, Jharkhand, Assam, and West Bengal, and through international connections, codeine-based drugs were being supplied to Bangladesh.
The STF has already arrested several accused in this case. This makes it clear that this case is part of a larger organized drug trafficking operation.
