Codeine Syrup Racket Busted in Uttar Pradesh’s Basti; Mastermind Arrested, ₹9 Lakh Seized

Basti, Uttar Pradesh:
In a major crackdown on illegal drug trafficking, the Basti Police have unearthed a large-scale codeine syrup supply network and arrested its alleged mastermind, identified as Pankaj Kumar.

According to police officials, the accused was operating the illegal trade under the name of a registered firm, Ganpati Pharma, which was being used as a front to distribute codeine-based cough syrup to several medical stores across the district.

The arrest was made by the Sadar Kotwali Police following a tip-off. Pankaj Kumar was apprehended from Hadiya Chauraha, officials confirmed.

During the investigation, police discovered that although Ganpati Pharma was officially registered, no such medical shop was functioning at the address mentioned in Rahmatganj locality. When the police team inspected the site, they found the premises locked and non-operational. Further inquiry with the landlord revealed that the shop had remained open only for one to two months after being taken on rent and had remained closed thereafter.

Subsequent verification revealed that the firm was registered in the name of Pankaj Kumar, son of Putul Sahni, a resident of Trilochanpur, Varanasi. Acting swiftly on intelligence inputs, the police tracked and arrested the accused.

Bank Account Frozen; ₹9 Lakh Recovered

Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Shyamakant stated that the accused’s bank account has been frozen, in which approximately ₹9 lakh was found deposited. The amount is suspected to be proceeds from illegal drug trafficking.

A case has been registered against the accused under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) — Sections 276, 277, 278, 318(4), 338, 336(3), and 340(2) — along with Sections 8(c) and 21(c) of the NDPS Act.

Police officials said that a detailed investigation is underway to identify other members of the network, including suppliers and local distributors, and further arrests are likely in the coming days.