The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is widening its investigation into a massive codeine-based cough syrup smuggling network, with a spotlight on Alok Pratap Singh, a dismissed Uttar Pradesh police constable, whose lavish lifestyle has raised eyebrows. Coordinated raids across Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Gujarat on Friday revealed the sheer scale of the operation and the disproportionate assets amassed by Singh, whose monthly salary was around ₹40,000.
The ED's action is rooted in nearly 30 FIRs registered by the UP Police, prompted by the state government's concern over the misuse, illegal manufacturing, trade, and transportation of codeine-based cough syrups, including across the border to Bangladesh. The estimated proceeds of the crime are around ₹1,000 crore.
A video of Singh's opulent Lucknow residence went viral, showcasing lavish interiors and a palatial facade, which starkly contrast with his official income. Social media users expressed disbelief, questioning how a constable could afford such a residence. The ED team searched Singh's home, located in Sushant Golf City, and seized suspicious documents, bank transaction files, digital devices, and records potentially linked to hawala transactions.
Alok Singh was arrested on December 2 by the Special Task Force (STF) for his involvement in the interstate network dealing with the illegal storage, diversion, and trafficking of codeine-based cough syrups. During questioning, Singh revealed his connection to Shubham Jaiswal of Varanasi, identified as the kingpin of the operation, through Vikas Singh of Azamgarh. Jaiswal allegedly operated a large-scale Fensidyl diversion operation from Ranchi under the guise of Shaili Traders, generating significant profits from trafficking to West Bengal and Bangladesh.
Investigations revealed that Singh invested in the illegal trade along with his associate, Amit Kumar Singh alias Amit Tata, who was arrested earlier. Furthermore, a bogus medical firm, Shreyasi Medical Agency, was established in Dhanbad in January 2024 using Alok Singh's identity, facilitated by Jaiswal and his partners. Another fake firm, Maa Sharda Medical, was later created in Varanasi using Singh's forged drug license. These firms were used to generate forged invoices and e-way bills, showing fictitious sales. Singh admitted that he and Amit invested ₹5 lakh each and received ₹20–22 lakh in profits from illegal sales. He also acknowledged that the experience certificates used to obtain drug licenses were fabricated.
The ED's multi-city raids covered 25 premises in Lucknow, Varanasi, Jaunpur, and Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh, as well as Ranchi and Ahmedabad. The raids targeted locations linked to the absconding Shubham Jaiswal and his associates, including Alok Singh, Amit Singh, cough syrup manufacturers, and a Chartered Accountant, Vishnu Aggarwal. Shubham Jaiswal is believed to have fled to Dubai, while his father has been arrested by UP Police. To date, 32 individuals have been taken into custody by the state police, which has formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the case. The case initially came to light in February of last year after a large consignment of illicit Phensedyl cough syrup was seized in Lucknow.
