Key Associate of Codeine Smuggling Kingpin Arrested by UP STF in Varanasi
In a significant breakthrough, the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) arrested Amit Yadav, a crucial associate of Shubham Jaiswal, the mastermind behind a massive codeine cough syrup smuggling operation. The arrest took place on Saturday evening in the Harahua area of Varanasi, marking a pivotal moment in the ongoing investigation into the illicit drug trade.
Political Connections and Viral Photos
Amit Yadav, a former state general secretary of the Samajwadi Yuvajan Sabha and a prominent students' union leader, had been evading authorities. His disappearance followed an incident in December 2025, when Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath presented photos during a Vidhan Sabha session, linking Yadav to the Samajwadi Party. These photos, featuring Yadav with the SP chief, have since gone viral on social media platforms, adding a political dimension to the case.
Arrest and Interrogation Details
The arrest was executed by a team from the UP STF's Lucknow unit, led by inspectors Anjani Kumar Pandey and Aditya Singh. Yadav was apprehended at Kashi Dwar in the Harahua locality. After initial interrogation at the Varanasi STF unit located in the police lines, he was transported to Lucknow for further legal proceedings. This action is connected to a case registered against him at the Sushant Golf City police station in Lucknow.
Unraveling the Smuggling Network
Yadav's involvement in the codeine cough syrup smuggling ring emerged during the interrogation of previously arrested individuals, including Vibhor Rana, Vishal Singh, Amit Kumar Singh alias Tata, and Alok Kumar Singh. His arrest sheds light on the intricate network operating across Uttar Pradesh.
From Student Politics to Criminal Syndicate
During his interrogation by the STF, Yadav disclosed that he was appointed as the state secretary of the Samajwadi Yuvajan Sabha after winning a students' union election at Harishchandra Postgraduate College. It was during these college elections that he first encountered the codeine syrup-smuggling kingpin, Shubham Jaiswal. Subsequently, Yadav joined the syndicate and initiated business dealings with Shaili Traders, the firm owned by Shubham's father, Bhola Jaiswal.
Confession of Large-Scale Procurement
Yadav confessed to the STF that he began procuring approximately 1 lakh bottles of codeine syrup, valued at around Rs 1 crore, through his own firm, GL Surgical. His motive was to sell these bottles to the smuggling syndicate at inflated prices, capitalizing on the substantial profit margins. The syrup was intended for smuggling to Bangladesh via West Bengal, highlighting the transnational nature of the operation.
Ongoing Investigation and Legal Framework
The UP STF's investigation remains active, with authorities delving deeper into the smuggling network. According to STF officials, four separate cases have been lodged at Adampur and Kotwali police stations in Varanasi, in addition to the one at Sushant Golf City police station in Lucknow. This multi-jurisdictional approach underscores the widespread impact of the smuggling activities.
The arrest of Amit Yadav represents a critical step in dismantling a sophisticated drug smuggling operation, with implications for both law enforcement and political circles in Uttar Pradesh. As the STF continues its probe, further details are expected to emerge regarding the extent of this illicit trade and its connections.
