Major Crackdown on Codeine Syrup Racket in Kanpur
In a significant development in the ongoing codeine syrup case, the Varanasi Commissionerate police executed a major property seizure operation in Kanpur on Thursday. Authorities confiscated five movable and immovable properties with a combined estimated value of Rs 5.18 crore. These assets belong to alleged kingpin Vinod Agrawal, a resident of Patkapur under the Pheelkhana police station jurisdiction in Kanpur, along with his close relatives.
Police Action Under NDPS Act
The seizure was conducted under the stringent provisions of Section 68F of the NDPS Act, which falls under the Smugglers and Foreign Exchange Manipulators (Forfeiture of Property) Act, commonly known as SAFEMA. A police team led by Sarnath ACP Vidush Saxena and the Station House Officer (SHO) of Sarnath traveled to Kanpur specifically to carry out this operation. The objective was to target properties believed to have been acquired through illegally obtained funds linked to the codeine syrup racket.
Background of the Case
Sarnath ACP Vidush Saxena provided crucial details about the case's origins. He confirmed that the regional drug inspector in Sarnath had formally filed a case against Vinod Agrawal, identifying him as the primary accused in the codeine syrup scandal. Police investigations revealed that Agrawal is also the main suspect in a separate case registered at the Collectorganj police station in Kanpur district.
Financial Transactions Under Scrutiny
Authorities uncovered substantial financial dealings associated with Agrawal's alleged illegal activities. Police stated that he was involved in transactions worth approximately Rs 6 to 7 crores with two firms: MK Health Care and Peeli Pharma. Both entities are implicated in the cough syrup case registered in Sarnath, suspected of being involved in the illicit trade of codeine-based medications.
Implications of the Property Seizure
This seizure represents a critical step in dismantling the financial infrastructure of the alleged racket. By targeting properties acquired through purportedly illegal earnings, law enforcement aims to cripple the economic backbone of the operation. The action underscores the authorities' commitment to applying asset forfeiture laws to combat drug-related crimes effectively.
The case continues to develop as police pursue further investigations into the network's operations and potential accomplices.
