Codeine Cough Syrup Smuggling Case: Shubham Jaiswal, Varun, and Gaurav Declared Absconders; Property Attachment Imminent

Lucknow: Police and the Special Task Force have launched a major crackdown against an illegal codeine syrup network in Uttar Pradesh. In connection with a case registered at the Sushant Golf City police station in Lucknow, the court has declared the racket’s mastermind, Shubham Jaiswal (carrying a reward of ₹1 lakh), and his two key associates—Varun Singh and Gaurav Jaiswal—as absconders.

Despite the issuance of lookout notices and non-bailable warrants, the accused failed to appear; consequently, the police are now preparing to attach their assets (under Sections 82/83 of the CrPC). Recognizing the gravity of this sensitive matter, the government has handed over the investigation to the UP STF. It is reported that all three accused fled to Dubai upon getting wind of the police action. So far, the police have arrested and jailed 18 individuals in connection with this case.

UP Codeine Cough Syrup Smuggling Case
The codeine cough syrup case in Uttar Pradesh involves one of the state’s largest organized drug smuggling networks. Codeine phosphate is a restricted narcotic substance used in cough syrups. The primary mastermind is Shubham Jaiswal, on whom the government has announced a reward of ₹1 lakh. Along with Shubham, his two key associates—Varun Singh and Gaurav Jaiswal—were operating this major illicit trade syndicate.

A case involving serious charges has been registered against these accused at the Sushant Golf City police station in Lucknow. Given the seriousness of the matter, the Uttar Pradesh government has entrusted the investigation to the UP STF. The STF’s investigation revealed that the gang procured consignments of codeine syrup worth crores of rupees from legitimate factories by using fake pharmaceutical companies, forged drug licenses, and fabricated invoices. These consignments were then sold at highly inflated prices to drug abusers across Uttar Pradesh, other states, and along the borders with Nepal and Bangladesh.

When the UP Police and STF tightened the screws on this syndicate, Shubham, Varun, and Gaurav fled to Dubai to evade arrest. After they failed to appear despite the issuance of non-bailable warrants and lookout notices, the court declared all three of them fugitives. The police are now initiating legal proceedings to attach their assets. Eighteen co-accused linked to this vast network have already been arrested and jailed by the police.

The STF investigation revealed that Shubham Jaiswal and his associates acted as the ‘financiers and logistics heads’ of this entire illicit trade. Suspicious transactions worth crores of rupees were conducted in the names of various companies, and the hawala network was utilized to evade police scrutiny.