STF nabs key member of Rs 100-crore codeine trafficking syndicate in Lucknow

The Special Task Force (STF) has arrested a man involved in trafficking codeine-based cough syrup (Phensedyl) from Lucknow.

The accused is believed to be a crucial member of a nationwide drug syndicate responsible for distributing narcotics worth over Rs 100 crore. He is also reportedly close to the kingpin who operates from Dubai.

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The STF detained Amit Kumar Singh, alias Amit Tata, near Gwari Chauraha in Gomti Nagar on Thursday morning. He was taken to the STF headquarters for interrogation.

According to officials, Amit was attempting to reactivate the syndicate’s network while staying in Lucknow.

From the accused, police recovered two mobile phones, a Fortuner SUV, an Aadhaar card, Rs 4,500 in cash, and several important digital documents.

Investigations revealed that Amit is a close associate and partner of the codeine-based syrup syndicate’s mastermind, Shubham Jaiswal. During interrogation, Amit said he was introduced to Shubham by Vikas Singh from Azamgarh. Lured by high profits, he joined the illegal trade.

In January 2024, Amit opened a firm named Devkripa Medical Agency in Dhanbad, Jharkhand. Although the firm was registered in his name, it was operated entirely by Shubham Jaiswal and his associates. Later, another firm—Shree Medical—was set up in Varanasi to further the illegal Phensedyl trade using a drug license.

Amit admitted to investing around Rs 5 lakh and earning between Rs 20–22 lakh in return. He also received around Rs 8 lakh in additional payments from the Varanasi firm. The money, usually given in cash, was deposited into his wife’s bank account.

Amit already faces a case related to cough syrup trafficking at the Sushant Golf City police station in Lucknow. Additionally, an FIR had previously been registered against his father, Ashok Kumar Singh, and their firm at the Kotwali police station in Varanasi.

The syndicate allegedly procured cough syrup worth over Rs 100 crore from Abbott, with a major portion sold to traffickers using fake documents. Amit claimed that some company officials were also involved in the racket.

According to STF sources, the Jharkhand-based medical firm supplied the banned codeine syrup to West Bengal, from where it was smuggled into Bangladesh and Nepal. The group used fake purchase bills and e-way bills to carry out the multi-crore illegal operation.

After earlier arrests in Ranchi and Ghaziabad, the mastermind, Shubham Jaiswal, fled to Dubai with his family and associates. He is believed to be controlling the network through video calls and online channels. The STF is currently tracking his location and probing his international connections.