In a significant escalation of a major drug investigation, the Uttar Pradesh Police have intensified their manhunt for the alleged mastermind behind a sprawling cough syrup racket. Authorities have issued a fresh lookout notice and dramatically increased the cash reward for information leading to the arrest of Shubham Jaiswal.
Bounty Increased in Major Crackdown
The police have raised the bounty on Shubham Jaiswal from an initial amount to a substantial Rs 50,000. This move underscores the seriousness with which law enforcement is treating the case and their determination to apprehend the key suspect. The lookout notice, a critical tool to prevent a suspect from fleeing the country, has been circulated to all airports, seaports, and border crossings.
This development comes as part of a broader crackdown on an illicit network involved in the production and distribution of counterfeit or illegally manufactured cough syrups. Such syrups often contain controlled substances and are sold in the black market, contributing to substance abuse.
The Investigation and Key Arrests
The racket was uncovered following coordinated raids and investigations across multiple locations in Uttar Pradesh. Prior to the hunt for Jaiswal, the police had already made several arrests believed to be part of the syndicate's operational layer. These individuals are suspected of being involved in manufacturing, distribution, and supply chain logistics.
Investigators allege that Shubham Jaiswal was the central figure financing and orchestrating the entire illegal operation. His role is described as that of the kingpin who managed the network's finances and key connections. The police are probing the possibility of interstate links and the source of the raw materials used in the illicit manufacturing process.
Public Appeal and Next Steps
By increasing the reward to Rs 50,000, the Uttar Pradesh Police are making a direct appeal to the public for assistance. They have urged anyone with information on Jaiswal's whereabouts to come forward, assuring confidentiality. The police teams are pursuing multiple leads and are monitoring known associates and hideouts.
The crackdown on this cough syrup racket is seen as a crucial step in curbing the illegal drug trade in the state. Law enforcement agencies have been directed to maintain strict vigilance on pharmaceutical supply chains to prevent such operations from resurfacing. The case highlights the ongoing challenges in regulating controlled substances and the lengths to which criminal networks will go for profit.
As the net tightens, the focus remains squarely on capturing Shubham Jaiswal, whose arrest is considered vital to completely dismantling the racket and exposing its full reach.
