CBI makes breakthrough in banned drug trade: Chemist assn presidents arrested in UP

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has made a breakthrough in the ongoing investigation into the illegal trade and cover-up involving the banned drug Codeine syrup.

In a high-profile crackdown, the CBI arrested Barabanki District President of the Chemist Association, Santosh Jaiswal, and Deva Block President, Sunil Jaiswal, for their alleged involvement in facilitating bribes to narcotics officials in exchange for clearing names from the investigation.

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The case revolves around a massive seizure by the Central Bureau of Narcotics (CBN) on July 26, when officials raided a warehouse in Lucknow’s Aminabad Old Medicine Market and recovered approximately 20 lakh tablets and 5,700 bottles of codeine syrup. Based on seized documents, the CBN began probing transactions with various pharmaceutical firms.

However, corruption soon emerged as CBN inspectors allegedly began soliciting bribes from implicated parties in return for removing their names from the investigation. One such deal involved Gyasuddin Ahmed, owner of Deva Nursing Home in Barabanki, whose name surfaced in the CBN’s inquiry.

According to CBI sources on Thursday, CBN inspectors Mahipal Singh, Ravi Ranjan, and Adesh Yogi demanded Rs 10 lakh from Ahmed to clear his name. The CBI, which had received intelligence about this transaction, initiated discreet surveillance and gathered incriminating call records and audio recordings confirming the bribe negotiation.

A trap operation was set for August 26, when Ahmed handed over Rs 2 lakh at the CBN office, and the remaining Rs 8 lakh was delivered by his son at Tedhi Pulia in Lucknow. As soon as the money exchanged hands, CBI officials swooped in and arrested the three inspectors red-handed, recovering the full Rs 10 lakh. The entire operation was videographed.

Post-arrest interrogation led to the revelation that Sunil Jaiswal acted as the middleman, while Santosh Jaiswal was responsible for delivering the bribe money to officials. This nexus allegedly helped multiple nursing homes evade scrutiny, forming a corrupt network stretching from Barabanki to Lucknow.

Inspector Mahipal Singh, who was on probation, has been dismissed from service. Inspectors Ravi Ranjan and Adesh Yogi have been suspended pending further investigation.

The CBI now plans to take the accused on remand to interrogate them further and uncover the full extent of the drug corruption network. The arrests have shaken the regional pharmaceutical and medical fraternity, with expectations of more names surfacing as the probe deepens.