Former Pharma Manager Held Over Alleged Diversion of Codeine Cough Syrups to Illicit Market
Lucknow: A former pharmaceutical company area manager has been arrested by the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (UP STF) for his alleged involvement in a network suspected of diverting codeine-based cough syrups, including Phensedyl, into the illegal narcotics trade through pharmaceutical distributors, stockists and shell firms.
The accused, Bhupinder Singh Chauhan, a resident of Saharanpur, was arrested near Shaheed Path in Lucknow on Wednesday in connection with a case registered in 2024 at the Sushant Golf City police station. The case concerns the alleged illegal storage, diversion and distribution of codeine-based cough syrups, which were purportedly sold for use as intoxicants. According to STF officials, Chauhan had been evading arrest since the case came to light. Two mobile phones, an ATM card and cash were recovered from him.
Investigators believe his arrest could provide important leads into an extensive supply chain allegedly operating across several states. The network is suspected of using legitimate drug licences and pharmaceutical distribution channels to divert cough syrups into the illicit market.
ASP, STF, Lal Pratap Singh, stated that during interrogation, Chauhan disclosed that he joined a pharmaceutical company as an area manager in 2006. After leaving the company in 2019, he continued to be associated with pharmaceutical distribution operations and managed business activities linked to firms under investigation.
According to investigators, large quantities of cough syrup were reportedly supplied to stockists across western Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and other states. While the transactions allegedly appeared legitimate in official records, authorities suspect that a significant portion of the products was diverted for illegal consumption.
Several firms based in Ghaziabad are also under investigation for their suspected role in generating documentation to conceal the actual movement of pharmaceutical stock. Investigators suspect these firms were used to create a paper trail that masked the alleged diversion of codeine-based medicines.
The probe has identified a network of distributors and intermediaries operating across Ghaziabad, Meerut, Saharanpur, Bulandshahr, Aligarh and Moradabad. Authorities are examining the alleged links among these entities and their role in the distribution chain.
Investigators have further alleged that some consignments were routed to smugglers operating along the Tripura and West Bengal borders. Cough syrup purchased through bogus entities was allegedly supplied without formal documentation before being channelled into cross-border trafficking networks. Officials also suspect that payments connected with the transactions were routed through hawala channels, reports The Times of India.
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