UP STF Arrests 3 In Illegal Codeine Cough Syrup Trade; Seizes Medicines Worth Rs 1 Crore

The Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) has arrested three alleged members of an inter-state gang involved in the illegal trade of codeine-based cough syrup.

The STF seized 19,338 bottles of One Rex brand cough syrup and 61,600 tablets of generic medicines from the suspects.

Officials estimated the value of the recovered medicines at around Rs 1 crore. The team confiscated a car allegedly used to transport the stock.

The STF arrested Ashutosh Tiwari, Ankesh Kumar and Amit Prajapati in Kathula Gauspur, within the Airport police station area.

A tip-off led the operation, which Deputy Superintendent of Police Shailesh Pratap Singh led.

According to the STF, the gang obtained illegal cough syrup from Delhi, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Chandigarh. It then supplied the products to Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh and districts across Uttar Pradesh.

Investigators said the gang stored the medicines in a warehouse in the Airport police station area.

Two alleged members, Jatin Mishra and Shivam Mishra, had reportedly set up a firm at an address in Mangolpuri, New Delhi.

The group allegedly used forged documents and transport bills under the names of firms in Prayagraj and Varanasi to order the medicines from Delhi.

The STF said the gang erased batch numbers from cough syrup bottles before selling the stock to wholesale traders Sunny Jaiswal and Ashu Jaiswal on Leader Road. It allegedly supplied local markets, nearby districts and other states.

The accused reportedly divided the profits equally.

Police registered a case under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act at the Airport police station.

The STF handed the arrested men over to local police, which is conducting further legal proceedings.

Also Read: Asian Games 2026: Amit Shah Congratulates Esha Singh On 25m Pistol Silver