The Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) has intensified its crackdown on a significant codeine-based cough syrup trafficking network, securing crucial legal orders against the main suspects. On Monday, a district court in Lucknow granted the STF's plea for non-bailable warrants (NBWs) against the accused, Shubham Jaiswal and Vikas Singh.
Court Acts on STF Plea After Accused Evade Arrest
This decisive court action stems from an ongoing investigation registered at the Sushant Golf City police station. The NBWs were issued after both Jaiswal and Singh repeatedly failed to appear for questioning and deliberately evaded arrest, despite their names being clearly mentioned in the First Information Report (FIR). An STF officer stated that the accused showed no intention to cooperate with the investigative process, prompting the agency to move a formal application before the court.
"The accused failed to cooperate with the investigation and deliberately avoided arrest. Based on the material evidence collected, the court issued non-bailable warrants against both," confirmed an STF official involved in the case.
Web of 27 Fake Firms Used to Bypass Regulations
The investigation has unearthed a complex corporate facade allegedly constructed by accused Vikas Singh, a resident of Azamgarh. Singh is accused of floating as many as 27 different firms under various names. These entities, according to the STF probe, were not legitimate businesses but fronts designed specifically for the illegal procurement and subsequent trafficking of codeine-based cough syrup.
Authorities revealed that this elaborate network was built using forged documents and shell addresses. The primary purpose of creating these fake firms was to circumvent strict regulatory checks and deceive authorities, allowing the syndicate to operate under the radar. Codeine syrup, a prescription medication, is often misused as a recreational drug and is illegally trafficked for substantial profits.
Ongoing Probe and Next Steps
With the non-bailable warrants now in hand, the STF is expected to ramp up its efforts to locate and apprehend Shubham Jaiswal and Vikas Singh. The warrants empower police agencies across states to arrest the individuals and present them before the court. The discovery of the 27-firm network indicates a well-organized racket, and investigators are now digging deeper into the supply chain, financial transactions, and possible links to other individuals involved in the syndicate.
The case highlights the ongoing challenges law enforcement faces in controlling the illegal trade of pharmaceutical drugs and the sophisticated methods employed by traffickers. The UP STF's move to obtain NBWs marks a critical step in dismantling this particular network and serves as a stern warning to others involved in similar illicit activities.
