Hidden Under Poultry Feed: UP Police Seize 7,200 Bottles of Illegal Codeine Cough Syrup Worth ₹15 Lakh in Chandauli
Alinagar police recover 36 sacks of Eskuf codeine syrup concealed behind animal feed bags in an abandoned truck on the Ring Road, triggering a full NDPS and Drugs & Cosmetics Act investigation.
The law enforcement networks, pharmaceutical control boards, and narcotics enforcement cells in eastern Uttar Pradesh achieved a significant breakthrough on Thursday, July 23, 2026. Acting on intelligence leads during a routine morning patrol, Alinagar police seized an abandoned transport truck on the Ring Road near Kori village containing 7,200 bottles of codeine-based cough syrup valued at approximately ₹15 lakh.
The recovery highlights ongoing efforts by state authorities to dismantle illegal pharmaceutical trafficking networks.
According to Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya (PDDU) Nagar Deputy Superintendent of Police Arun Kumar Singh, the operation was initiated after Station House Officer Gaganraj Singh received a tip-off at around 5:00 AM regarding a truck parked under suspicious circumstances.
Also Read | Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi Sentenced to 17 Years in Jail
The Modus Operandi: Camouflaged Under Poultry Feed
Upon searching the abandoned vehicle, police discovered a systematic attempt to conceal the regulated pharmaceutical consignment:
-
The Cover Layer: The front section of the truck bed was stacked with 20 sacks of standard poultry feed to evade visual inspection during highway checks.
-
The Concealed Cargo: Behind the animal feed, officers uncovered 36 sacks containing 7,200 bottles (720 liters) of codeine-laced syrup, including the Eskuf brand.
-
Inspection Verification: Drug Inspector Chandresh Kumar Dwivedi was summoned to the site to inspect the batch details, confirming that the shipment was being transported without valid distribution permits or prescriptions.
Legal Actions and Investigation Trail
Police have registered a formal case under Sections 8 and 21 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, alongside relevant provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.
Preliminary checks reveal the truck is registered in Firozabad district. Investigators are actively tracing the vehicle’s transit history, origin point, intended destination, and supply-chain linkages to identify the syndicate behind the shipment.
Also Read | Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi Sentenced to 17 Years in Jail
Five Sequence Steps Police Follow to Investigate Illegal Pharmaceutical Trafficking
To trace unauthorized medicine consignments back to their source and prosecute smuggling networks effectively, law enforcement agencies execute this operational sequence:
FAQ Section
Why is codeine-based cough syrup regulated under the NDPS Act in India?
Codeine is an opioid derivative. While permitted in small doses in prescription cough formulations, unauthorized bulk possession, transit, or sale for non-medicinal use violates the Drugs and Cosmetics Act and attracts strict criminal penalties under the NDPS Act.
What was recovered during the Chandauli police raid?
Alinagar police recovered 7,200 bottles (720 liters) of codeine-laced cough syrup valued at ₹15 lakh, hidden beneath 20 sacks of poultry feed inside an abandoned truck.
Who is the primary suspect identified so far in the Chandauli seizure?
Initial investigations traced the vehicle’s registration to Rahul Kumar, a resident of Firozabad district. Police are currently working to determine his involvement and locate the drivers and receiving parties.
Also Read | Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi Sentenced to 17 Years in Jail
End..
