Officer heading probe into ₹3.5-crore seized consignment held with ₹3.87 lakh in car; transport operator also detained.
The investigation into a major codeine-based cough syrup smuggling racket in Ghaziabad took an unexpected turn on Thursday when the head of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the case was himself arrested on bribery charges. Crime Branch Inspector Ramesh Singh Sidhu was taken into custody after he was allegedly caught accepting ₹4 lakh from a transporter in exchange for favourable action in the case. A total of ₹3.87 lakh was recovered from his car during the search.
DCP City confirmed that Sidhu has been suspended with immediate effect, and a criminal case has been registered. The individual who delivered the money, identified as a Bareilly resident, has also been arrested by Sihani Gate police.
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₹3.5-crore cough syrup consignment seized earlier this month
The state police have been conducting intensified operations to curb the illegal trafficking of codeine-based cough syrup across Uttar Pradesh. On November 3, the Crime Branch raided a warehouse at the fish market on Meerut Road and seized cough syrup bottles valued at nearly ₹3.5 crore. The consignment was reportedly being loaded onto trucks for smuggling to Bangladesh and prohibition-enforced states.
Following the seizure, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) was constituted under the supervision of the DCP, with Inspector Sidhu appointed as its in-charge. His arrest within days of the investigation beginning has raised serious questions about internal integrity within the probe.
Tip-off leads to late-night raid at Crime Branch office
According to officials, the bribery incident took place on Thursday afternoon when Rahul Sharma, a resident of Bareilly, arrived at the Crime Branch office in Lohia Nagar and allegedly handed over a polybag filled with cash to Inspector Sidhu. The information reportedly reached Police Commissioner J. Ravinder Gaur, who immediately directed DCP City and to conduct a surprise inspection.
The team reached the office around 9 p.m. and began a thorough search. During the inspection, a polybag containing ₹3.87 lakh was recovered from Sidhu’s car. During questioning, Sidhu claimed the cash had been arranged to help a sick relative, but he failed to explain its source or provide credible details. He was subsequently arrested and taken to the Sihani Gate police station for further legal action.
Bribe allegedly taken to help the transporter with bail and charges
In the November 3 seizure case, police had booked 17 individuals, of whom eight have been arrested. One of the arrested accused is Santosh Bhadana, owner of the Bareilly–Gorakhpur Transport Company. Investigations revealed that Bhadana was assisting Saurabh Tyagi of Makanpur, who was allegedly operating the smuggling network.
Bhadana’s bail application is scheduled for a hearing in court. According to the police, Inspector Sidhu allegedly agreed to dilute certain serious charges and submit a favourable report in exchange for the bribe. Rahul Sharma, who delivered the money, is believed to be associated with Bhadana and has also been taken into custody.
Syrup smuggling thrives in prohibition states and foreign markets
ADCP (Crime) stated that the smuggling syndicate supplies codeine-based cough syrup to states where alcohol sale is restricted—such as Bihar and Gujarat—where demand for alternative intoxicants is high. The network also smuggles the syrup to Bangladesh and other neighbouring countries.
A single bottle priced at ₹210 in the domestic market is reportedly sold for ₹600 to ₹1,000 in the illegal trade, making the operation extremely profitable.
“Case registered against three individuals,” says DCP City
DCP City issued a statement confirming action against the accused officer:
“Inspector Ramesh Singh Sidhu, who was heading the SIT in the cough syrup smuggling case, has been arrested for accepting a bribe of ₹4 lakh. A total of ₹3.87 lakh has been recovered from his vehicle. Cases have been registered against three individuals and further investigation is underway.”
