UP government cracks down on illegal drugs; 128 firms booked for codeine misuse

The Uttar Pradesh government is continuously taking strict action against illegal drug traffickers who are pushing the youth of the state into the clutches of addiction.

Following the instructions of Chief Minister Adityanath, a major operation was launched across the state by the ANTF (Anti-Narcotics Task Force) and the Food Safety and Drug Administration, particularly against the use of Codeine cough syrup.

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In this regard, the FSDA is taking swift action across the state to effectively control the illegal storage, purchase, sale, and distribution of codeine-containing cough syrups and narcotic drugs. In this special campaign, illegal narcotic and codeine-containing drugs worth millions have been seized across the state, and 128 FIRs have been registered so far. More than half a dozen illegal drug traffickers have been arrested and put behind bars.

Commissioner of Food Safety and Drug Administration, Dr. Roshan Jacob, said here on Friday that following the Chief Minister’s instructions, inspections/raids have been conducted at establishments across the state, and drugs worth millions have been seized. Pending further investigation of records found to be suspicious, the sale of codeine-containing syrups and narcotic drugs has been banned at more than two dozen medical stores.

A special campaign is underway across the state to investigate the illegal movement of codeine-containing/narcotic/psychotropic drugs, involving intensive inspections of suspected medical stores.

He stated that information related to the storage, purchase, sale, or movement of counterfeit and illicit drugs can be provided to the department on WhatsApp number 8756128434.

Taking decisive action against the illegal sale and storage of narcotic drugs, the Food Safety and Drug Administration Department has conducted raids in several districts and taken strict action under the NDPS Act.

Commissioner Dr. Roshan Jacob stated that a total of 128 FIRs were registered in 28 districts during the campaign. These include 38 in Varanasi, 16 in Jaunpur, 8 in Kanpur Nagar, 6 in Ghazipur, 4 in Lakhimpur Kheri, 4 in Lucknow, and 52 FIRs in Bahraich, Bijnor, Prayagraj, Pratapgarh, Sitapur, Sonbhadra, Balrampur, Raebareli, Sant Kabir Nagar, Hardoi, Shravasti, Siddharthnagar, Unnao, Basti, Ambedkar Nagar, Azamgarh, Saharanpur, Bareilly, Sultanpur, Chandauli, Mirzapur, and other districts.