In a major initiative against the illegal trade and diversion of codeine-based cough syrup and NDPS-category drugs, the Uttar Pradesh government has formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) comprising police and Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA) officials led by an IG-rank officer to carry out a thorough probe across the state.
Giving this information in a joint press conference here on Monday, DGP Rajiv Krishna, Principal Secretary, Home Sanjay Prasad and Secretary FSDA Roshan Jacob said that the crackdown is part of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s “Drug-Free Uttar Pradesh” initiative, emphasizing zero tolerance against organized drug mafias.
Roshan Jacob announced that the SIT has been formed to probe the case. So far, three accused individuals have been arrested.
DGP Rajiv Krishna emphasized that the codeine cough syrup was not being used for medical purposes but was being diverted for recreational drug use.
Deputy Chief Minister and Health Minister Brajesh Pathak, speaking from Jaunpur, stated that everyone involved will be held accountable, regardless of their position or status.
Jacob also addressed the misinformation circulating on social media. She highlighted that the district police had already taken action 20 days ago when a truck carrying cough syrup was seized in Sonbhadra. Using this evidence, another truck was intercepted in Ranchi.
The officials clarified that there is no connection between this case and a similar incident in Madhya Pradesh. The investigation revealed discrepancies in collection and purchase records, indicating that the syrup was being misused rather than consumed for legitimate medical purposes.
An action was taken on a large scale targeting major suppliers and investigations have been conducted against over 300 vendors in Uttar Pradesh. The goal was not to target small retailers but to reach the larger supply chains controlled by major traders.
DGP Rajiv Krishna added that the normal use of cough syrup is legal, but any other use constitutes a criminal offense. Over the past two months, evidence has emerged leading the FSDA to register 128 FIRs across 28 districts. The highest numbers were reported in Varanasi (38), Jaunpur (16), Kanpur (8), Ghazipur (6), Lakhimpur (4), and Lucknow (4).
Following orders from the Chief Minister, FSDA, police, and STF have conducted operations against codeine-based cough syrup and other NDPS-category drugs over the past two months. Investigations revealed that these drugs were also being supplied from other states into Uttar Pradesh, with large quantities sold in several districts.
Some establishments were registered under the names of a single individual or their close relatives, often with fake licenses or licenses that had already been canceled. These entities sold between 100,000 to 300,000 bottles of codeine syrup, confirming that the drugs were being diverted for recreational use rather than medical treatment—a case of organized crime. About fugitive Shubham Jaiswal, DGP said his location is traced in Dubai and he will be repatriated according to the law.
Deputy CM Pathak described the case as extremely serious, noting concerns over the deaths of children linked to the syrup. He assured that high-level investigations are underway, and all aspects are being monitored. Officials confirmed that any guilty party, including politicians whose names have surfaced, will face strict action without exception.