Basti Police Nabs Pharma Firm Owner in Major Codeine Syrup Racket
In a significant crackdown on illegal pharmaceutical operations, Basti Police late on Thursday arrested Pankaj Kumar, the proprietor of a fraudulent pharmaceutical company named Ganpati Pharma. The arrest was made near the Roadways bus station, marking a crucial breakthrough in a case involving the illicit supply of 1.72 lakh bottles of codeine-based cough syrup through forged documentation.
Forged Documents and Fake Address Used for Registration
According to additional superintendent of police Shyamkant, Pankaj Kumar, a resident of Varanasi, employed counterfeit address proof and fabricated documents to register Ganpati Pharma in Basti. This enabled him to initiate large-scale distribution of codeine-laced cough syrup, exploiting regulatory loopholes. The investigation revealed that the accused maintained his name and father's name in identity documents while altering only his address, a tactic that initially evaded detection.
Discovery During Drug Inspector's Inquiry
The case surfaced during an inquiry conducted by drug inspector Arvind Kumar, who uncovered that Ganpati Pharma had procured the massive quantity of codeine cough syrup from four different firms. Shockingly, no valid purchase or stock records were maintained, highlighting severe regulatory lapses. Following this discovery, an FIR was registered at Kotwali police station on December 8 under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.
Raids and Investigation Uncover Wider Syndicate
During subsequent raids, police found the alleged shop locked and situated in a narrow lane within a densely populated locality. The landlord informed authorities that the room had been rented for a short duration and later abandoned, suggesting premeditated evasion tactics. A special investigation team (SIT) was promptly constituted to trace the accused, leading to Pankaj Kumar's arrest.
Investigators believe that Pankaj Kumar was the mastermind behind a broader syndicate involved in supplying codeine syrup sourced from drug companies in cities including Ranchi and Lucknow. The illegal trade, allegedly operated by this syndicate spanning Varanasi, Ranchi, and Lucknow, was found to have deep roots in Basti. Wholesale and retail drug agencies in the area were implicated in large-scale purchase and sale activities over a prolonged period, remaining undetected by regulatory authorities.
Further Arrests and Ongoing Probe
With the arrest of the alleged mastermind, police are now intensifying efforts to apprehend all individuals linked to this illegal trade. Circle officer (city) Satyendra Bhushan Tripathi stated that several other drug traders associated with Ganpati Pharma have emerged during the probe, and further disclosures are anticipated soon. Several traders connected to the racket are currently under police surveillance, and additional arrests are likely as the investigation progresses.
This case underscores the challenges in monitoring pharmaceutical supply chains and the urgent need for stricter regulatory enforcement to prevent such illicit activities. The arrest marks a pivotal step in dismantling a network that posed significant public health risks through the unauthorized distribution of controlled substances.
