Uttar Pradesh Cracks Down on Illegal Codeine Cough Syrup Supply Worth Over ₹700 Crore

Lucknow, 29 December. The Government of Uttar Pradesh has taken strict action against illegal drug activities over the past nearly nine years. Under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s zero-tolerance policy, relentless measures have severely weakened the networks of illegal drug traders. Following this, the Chief Minister directed the Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA) to launch a campaign to effectively control the illegal storage, purchase, sale, distribution, and diversion of codeine-based cough syrup and other NDPS category medicines.

Acting on the CM’s directive, a campaign began three months ago. Before initiating the largest crackdown in the country on illegal diversion of codeine cough syrup, an internal in-depth investigation was conducted. This investigation covered states like Jharkhand, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. Evidence was gathered on the business relations between super stockists and wholesalers in Uttar Pradesh. Following this, a crackdown was launched in the state, uncovering layers of illegal syrup diversion.

Based on the FSDA report, Police and the Special Task Force (STF) started action against drug traffickers. Under the CM’s orders, cases were registered against those using the syrup as a narcotic under the NDPS and BNS Acts. The Allahabad High Court upheld the filing of cases under the NDPS Act and rejected anticipatory bail petitions in 22 cases. The court also dismissed stay requests on arrests in these cases.

In the last three months, FSDA inspected over 332 wholesale drug sale establishments in 52 districts for illegal storage, sale, distribution, and diversion of codeine cough syrup and NDPS drugs. Based on documentary and physical evidence, reports were filed against 161 firms/operators across 36 districts under relevant sections of the BNS and NDPS Acts. District magistrates were also instructed to initiate action under the Gangster Act to seize properties acquired through illegal drug trade.

Following CM Yogi’s instructions, FSDA took strict action against traffickers of codeine cough syrup, marking the largest crackdown of its kind in the country. FSDA Commissioner formed multiple teams at district level for thorough investigation, supervised by a central team at headquarters. These teams conducted covert evidence-gathering operations in various states and collected quota and dispatch details of codeine phosphate from the Central Narcotics Bureau, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh.

Teams visited Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, and Uttarakhand to examine codeine syrup manufacturers and collect manufacturing and distribution records. Subsequently, they reviewed purchase and sale records in Ranchi, Delhi, and Lucknow. It was found that most wholesalers lacked verification of stock receipt, and no sales bills were found under retail medical stores. Parallel distribution chains of syrup and NDPS drugs were established through billing under identified wholesalers and super stockists in Delhi and Ranchi.

The entire chain was connected, revealing the illegal diversion of syrup. Many firms failed to present sales bills, while others only showed paper records of purchases and sales. None of the retail drug establishments could verify genuine supply of codeine cough syrup, rendering the alleged supply unverified. In 2024-25, the supply of codeine cough syrup in Uttar Pradesh was found to be several times higher than actual medical needs.

The investigation recorded supplies of over 2.23 crore bottles of Fensidil by Abbott Healthcare, more than 73 lakh bottles of Ascof by Labort Pharmaceuticals, and approximately 25 lakh bottles from other companies, without verified medical use.

FSDA submitted the report to the Chief Minister and Police. Based on the report, Police and STF have filed 79 cases and arrested 85 accused so far. Operations are ongoing, and a Special Investigation Team (SIT) is also probing the matter. Experts say the SIT report may be submitted to the Chief Minister next month.

Following CM Yogi’s orders, FSDA headquarters has proposed measures to make the wholesale drug sale licensing system stricter and more transparent. Proposals include geo-tagging of wholesale establishments, verification of storage capacity, photographing of premises, and verification of technical staff experience certificates by drug inspectors. A proposal has also been sent to the Government of India seeking necessary notifications and guidelines for the manufacture, bulk supply, distribution, and monitoring of codeine cough syrup.

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Daily Kiran