A new twist has emerged in the major cough syrup smuggling case that came to light in Varanasi. Information has surfaced that Shubham Jaiswal, believed to be the mastermind of this entire racket, has fled the country to Dubai. According to investigative agencies, he reached Kolkata from Ranchi and then fled by taking a flight to Dubai.
The investigation has revealed that the racket had been illegally supplying codeine-based cough syrup for a long time, using fake companies and fraudulent billing. These syrups were being used as intoxicants, and large consignments were being sent to various states and neighboring countries.
The smuggling network was using fake addresses, fake licenses, and fraudulent billing. 126 pharma firms and units associated with this racket are now under investigation.
The supply of codeine syrup extended beyond Uttar Pradesh to Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Nepal, and Bangladesh. Raids have intensified in several districts, and the police have started tightening their grip on other members of the gang.
Illegally selling codeine-based cough syrup makes it a major source of addiction, which is extremely dangerous for youth. The exposure of this smuggling network has also brought to light the loopholes in the drug regulatory system, as a large number of companies were operating on the basis of fake documents.
Following the incident, the drug department and police have intensified inspections of pharmaceutical companies, stockists, and warehouses. Records are being scrutinized in several districts, and action is being prepared wherever irregularities are found.
