Codeine syrup: Sonbhadra SIT uncovers Rs 425cr turnover through bogus firms | Lucknow News
Varanasi: The Sonbhadra police’s Special Investigation Team (SIT) has unearthed a Rs 425 crore financial trail linked to the illegal diversion, stockpiling and interstate smuggling of codeine-based cough syrup, exposing one of the largest organised drug-trade networks operating out of eastern Uttar Pradesh. The racket, investigators said, was allegedly controlled by Shubham Jaiswal, whose network used multiple shell companies, fake distributors and manipulated GST records to channel narcotic-grade cough syrup across state borders. The ten-member SIT, led by a deputy SP–rank officer, has been analysing financial documents, bank transactions and seizure records since the crackdown began. Police sources revealed that the illicit transactions—spanning two financial years—were deliberately layered through bogus firms to evade regulatory scrutiny.In a major step, the SIT has summoned chartered accountant Vishnu Agrawal, who handled the financials of Shaili Traders, a Ranchi-based super stockist owned by Shubham’s father Bhola Jaiswal who’s currently lodged in jail. Agrawal has been directed to appear with detailed ledgers, GST filings, account statements, invoices and all supporting documents by December 10, as investigators suspect large-scale falsification of records to conceal the syndicate’s supply chain.Sonbhadra SP Abhishek Verma said the SIT has already frozen around 30 bank accounts linked to the racket. Approximately ₹60 lakh detected in these accounts has been blocked to prevent further laundering. The accounts belong to entities believed to be fronts for illegal procurement, bulk transfers and covert distribution of codeine syrups in Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand and neighbouring regions.The SIT has also issued notices to several firms in Sonbhadra and Bhadohi that allegedly engaged in illicit trade with Shubham’s network. These firms have been asked to produce procurement records, transport receipts, stock registers and digital communication trails establishing their business links.Investigators believe the turnover figure may rise as deeper financial forensics progress, especially with suspected links to interstate suppliers and cross-border smuggling routes. The SIT is now preparing to map the entire funding chain, including benami transactions, hidden beneficiaries and possible connections to larger drug-trafficking modules.
