UP Widens Crackdown on Illegal Codeine Cough Syrup Trade; 133 Firms Under Scanner

Uttar Pradesh’s fight against the illegal trafficking of codeine-based cough syrups and other NDPS-category drugs has escalated sharply, with the Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA) uncovering large-scale irregularities across the state. Over the past two months, FSDA teams inspected 332 pharmaceutical establishments in 52 districts, identifying serious violations in 133 firms, many of which existed only on paper and had no physical operations.

The crackdown forms part of a broader campaign ordered by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to dismantle narcotics networks linked to cough syrup smuggling.

Crackdown on Syndicates; FIRs and Gangster Act Invoked

FSDA Secretary and Commissioner Dr. Roshan Jacob confirmed that FIRs have been lodged under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) against individuals and firms involved in the illegal diversion of codeine-containing syrups.

District administrations have also been instructed to initiate proceedings under the Gangster Act to curb the activities of organised drug syndicates operating within and outside Uttar Pradesh.

Authorities described the findings as “extremely serious,” indicating coordinated diversion of prescription drugs for non-medical use.

332 Establishments Inspected, Major Irregularities Found

FSDA teams found numerous anomalies during inspections:

• Several firms were only on paper with no actual premises
• Many locations lacked proper storage facilities
• Firms failed to maintain mandatory records of purchase and sale
• Suspicious stock movements suggested deliberate diversion of NDPS-category medicines

Officials said such irregularities are consistent with networks involved in illegal drug trafficking across state and international borders.

133 Firms Accused of Illegal Diversion of Codeine Syrup

Out of the 332 establishments inspected, 133 firms were found to be illegally diverting codeine-based syrups and other psychotropic drugs.

Investigations revealed well-organised smuggling routes:

• To Nepal: via Lucknow, Kanpur, Lakhimpur Kheri, Bahraich
• To Bangladesh: via Varanasi, Ghaziabad

Officials noted that diversion networks exploited border districts and inter-state transit corridors.

https://the420.in/fcrf-certified-grc-professional-program-governance-risk-compliance-training-india/

Districts With Highest Rate of Irregularities

Authorities flagged several high-risk districts where maximum violations were found:

Varanasi, Jaunpur, Kanpur Nagar, Ghazipur, Lakhimpur Kheri, Lucknow, Bahraich, Bijnor, Prayagraj, Pratapgarh, Sitapur, Sonbhadra, Balrampur, Raebareli, Sant Kabir Nagar, Hardoi, Bhadohi, Amethi, Shravasti, Siddharthnagar, Unnao, Basti, Ambedkar Nagar, Azamgarh, Saharanpur, Bareilly, Sultanpur, Chandauli, Mirzapur, Banda, and Kaushambi.

Officials said many of these districts lie close to trafficking routes or have clusters of small pharmaceutical trading units vulnerable to misuse.

Anti-Narcotics Action to Intensify

FSDA officials believe that the illegal cough syrup trade spans a much wider network beyond the 52 districts already surveyed. The department plans continuous raids and long-term monitoring to curb diversion and ensure compliance across the pharmaceutical supply chain.

“Action will not stop here. We are committed to completely eliminating the illegal drug trade in the state,” an FSDA official said.

Final Summary

Uttar Pradesh has intensified its state-wide crackdown on illegal codeine cough syrup trafficking, exposing major irregularities in 133 pharmaceutical firms across 52 districts. With FIRs filed under NDPS and BNS laws, and Gangster Act action underway, authorities are expanding investigations to dismantle the interstate and cross-border drug network.