Sahibabad: Police in Ghaziabad have seized a large consignment of codeine-based cough syrup that can be misused as an intoxicant. A joint team of Sahibabad police and the drug administration department raided a warehouse at the Kasana Crane Compound in Shyam Enclave late Monday night and recovered 49,600 bottles of cough syrup, estimated to be worth ₹85.80 lakh. Three accused—Virendra Singh, Shiv Shankar Kumar and Rajesh Kumar Tiwari—have been arrested in connection with the case.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the consignment was allegedly intended to be transported to Bihar, where prohibition is in force, with suspicions that the syrup could have been distributed for non-medical use.
According to the police, the seized product belongs to the Viscorex brand. A total of 310 cartons containing 49,600 bottles were recovered from the warehouse. When the three men were asked to produce valid documents and licences for storing and transporting such a large quantity of cough syrup, they allegedly failed to provide the required paperwork. The police subsequently arrested them.
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Investigators are now examining who arranged the purchase, storage and transportation of the consignment and whether other traders or companies were involved in the alleged operation.
E-Way Bill Prepared for Shipment to Bihar
ACP Sahibabad Amit Saxena said the police and drug administration officials had received information that a large quantity of cough syrup was allegedly being stored illegally at a warehouse in Kasana Crane Compound, Shyam Enclave. Acting on the information, the joint team conducted a late-night raid.
During the search, officials discovered 310 cartons of cough syrup and questioned the three men present at the premises.
The investigation revealed that the accused were allegedly preparing to transport the consignment to Bihar. An e-way bill had also reportedly been arranged for the shipment. Police suspect that the large quantity of codeine-based syrup was intended for distribution for intoxicating use rather than legitimate medical purposes.
However, investigators are still working to establish the intended recipients, the precise distribution plan and the eventual use of the seized consignment.
Bihar has a complete prohibition on alcohol, and authorities monitor the illegal supply of substances that may be misused for intoxication. The misuse of codeine-based cough syrup can pose serious health risks, particularly when it is consumed without medical supervision or in excessive quantities.
Investigators are attempting to determine the route through which the consignment was expected to reach Bihar and identify the individuals or businesses that were supposed to receive it.
Manufactured in Himachal Pradesh, Purchased in Delhi’s Name
The investigation has established that the seized Viscorex cough syrup is manufactured by 3B Health Care Ltd. at Paonta Sahib in Himachal Pradesh.
According to the findings so far, the consignment was purchased in the name of Zeveran Health Care, a company based in Delhi. Under the applicable arrangements, the stock was expected to be stored at the company’s authorised warehouse in Delhi. Instead, it was allegedly found at a warehouse in Sahibabad, Ghaziabad.
Police are investigating why the stock was stored at a location different from the designated premises after being purchased in the company’s name.
Investigators also found that a sale from Zeveran Health Care had been recorded in the name of Nutan Pharma, a company based in Samastipur, Bihar. Officials are examining the relevant invoices, purchase and sale records, transportation documents and other paperwork to establish whether the transactions were genuine or involved irregularities.
Role of Multiple Companies Under Investigation
Police and drug administration officials are examining whether the documents accompanying the cough syrup consignment were genuine or had been manipulated. A key question is how the medicine manufactured in Himachal Pradesh, purchased in the name of a Delhi-based company, reached a warehouse in Ghaziabad before being prepared for onward transportation to Bihar.
Investigators are also scrutinising the roles of the companies associated with the transaction, suppliers, transporters and other intermediaries who may have facilitated the movement of the stock.
Authorities are checking whether similar consignments were transported through the same network in the past and whether other locations or businesses were used to store or distribute the products.
The seizure of 49,600 bottles and the arrest of three accused have marked a significant development in the investigation. Further inquiries are underway to establish the complete supply chain, determine the intended destination of the consignment and identify any additional individuals involved in the suspected operation.
About the author — Suvedita Nath is a science student with a growing interest in cybercrime and digital safety. She writes on online activity, cyber threats, and technology-driven risks. Her work focuses on clarity, accuracy, and public awareness.
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