Varanasi, December 23: In a major action in the case of illegal codeine-laced cough syrup, the Varanasi Commissionerate Police has issued a lookout circular (LOC) against four absconding accused, including the kingpin Shubham Jaiswal, who carries a reward of ₹50,000. This action has been taken to arrest accused wanted in NDPS cases, financial fraud, and other serious cases.
The accused against whom the lookout notice has been issued include Shubham Jaiswal, Akash Pathak, Divesh Jaiswal, and Amit Jaiswal.
Police Commissioner Mohit Agarwal informed the media on Tuesday that the Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed to search for the accused is conducting raids. He also appealed to the public to inform the police if they have any information regarding the accused.
According to the police, all the accused are involved in the illegal purchase and sale of codeine-containing cough syrup and a multi-crore rupee business through fake firms. Investigations have revealed that the Ranchi-based firm Shaili Traders is owned by Shubham Jaiswal, while Divesh Jaiswal is the owner of DSA Pharma. Other accused include Amit Jaiswal, a resident of Kazipura Khurd in Sonia, and Akash Pathak, a resident of Siddha Mata Lane, Golghar.
As per the Varanasi police, the Commissionerate Police has already announced a reward of 50,000 rupees for Shubham Jaiswal, a resident of Prahlad Ghat Kayastha Tola in the Adampur police station area. Information is also being gathered from the Drug Department in the investigation of this entire illegal network.
The SIT investigation has also revealed that Divesh Jaiswal and Amit Jaiswal opened fake firms in the names of young people in the city. The accused kept the bank accounts, GST registrations, and other necessary documents of these firms in their possession. The codeine cough syrup was supplied by generating fraudulent e-way bills. In return, the young men in whose names the firms were opened were paid 40,000 to 50,000 rupees per month.
Police officers say the investigation is proceeding swiftly and every effort is being made to arrest the accused.