Archive · 13 Dec 2025
ED Raids in Rs 1,000 Crore Codeine Syrup Case
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted raids in multiple cities as part of an investigation into an illegal trade of codeine-based cough syrup.
The racket is estimated to have made ₹1,000 crore.
The investigation started after a large seizure of illegal Phensedyl cough syrup in Lucknow.
Several people, including a key accused named Shubham Jaiswal, were arrested.
The ED is looking into financial links and conducted raids at various locations, including offices of pharmaceutical companies and a chartered accountant.
The raids were part of a broader effort to stop the illegal trade and money laundering associated with it.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted raids at 25 locations across six cities in Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Gujarat as part of a money-laundering probe into an illegal codeine-based cough syrup trade racket.
The racket, with proceeds estimated at ₹1,000 crore, was first discovered in February 2022 after a large consignment of illicit Phensedyl cough syrup was seized in Lucknow.
Key arrests include Vibhor Rana, Vishal, and Shubham Jaiswal, who is considered the prime accused.
The Yogi Adityanath government registered an FIR against over two dozen people and companies for producing and supplying codeine-mixed spurious solutions.
The ED registered a criminal case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and conducted raids at various locations linked to the accused individuals and their associates.
- Who
- The Enforcement Directorate (ED) and various accused individuals including Shubham Jaiswal and Alok Pratap Singh
- What
- Multi-city raids conducted by the ED as part of a money-laundering probe into an illegal codeine-based cough syrup trade racket
- When
- December 2023 (exact date of raids not specified)
- Where
- Across six cities in Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Gujarat
- Why
- To investigate and dismantle an alleged illegal codeine-based cough syrup trade racket with proceeds estimated at ₹1,000 crore
Government and Law Enforcement
Accused Individuals and Associates
Legality of the Raids
Government and Law Enforcement
The raids were conducted legally as part of a money-laundering probe into an illegal codeine-based cough syrup trade racket.
Accused Individuals and Associates
The accused individuals and their associates may argue that the raids were conducted without proper evidence or justification.
Severity of the Charges
Government and Law Enforcement
The government and law enforcement agencies view the case as a serious offense involving illegal trade and money laundering.
Accused Individuals and Associates
The accused individuals may downplay the severity of the charges and argue that they are being unfairly targeted.
- Estimated Proceeds of the Racket
- ₹1,000 crore
- Initial Seizure Location
- Sushant Golf City, Lucknow
- Key Arrests
- Vibhor Rana, Vishal, Shubham Jaiswal
- FIR Registered Against
- Over two dozen people and companies
- Date of ED Case Registration
- December 1, 2023
- Locations Raided
- Lucknow, Varanasi, Ranchi, Ahmedabad, Jaunpur, Saharanpur
- Premises Raided
- Chartered accountant Vishnu Agarwal, Abbott Pharmaceuticals, two major pharma firms in Ranchi and Ahmedabad
Sources
A dismissed constable — and his 7,000 sqft Lucknow mansion — come under ED lens
Cough syrup racket: ED raids in four UP districts, Ahmedabad, Ranchi
ED holds multi-city raids in Rs 1,000 crore codeine cough syrup case across three states
Codeine cartel: Inside UP’s multi-crore cough syrup smuggling network
