New Delhi, Dec 12 (UNI) The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is conducting raids at 25 locations linked to an alleged illegal cough syrup manufacturing and distribution network in a Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) case.
The raids began this morning at 7:30 am. The searches are targeting premises belonging to the main accused, Shubham Jaiswal, his associates Alok Singh and Amit Singh, and Chartered Accountant Vishnu Aggarwal.
The raids are also targeting cough syrup manufacturers who allegedly promoted illegal trade by supplying cough syrup through fraudulent means. Actions are also underway at the premises of CA Vishnu Aggarwal.
Raids are underway in Lucknow, Varanasi, Jaunpur, and Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh; Ranchi in Jharkhand; and Ahmedabad in Gujarat. ED teams are examining documents, digital records, and financial transaction details to trace the flow of illicit funds.
The action also targets certain cough syrup manufacturers who allegedly facilitated illegal trade by supplying codeine-based syrup through fraudulent means.
The ED registered the case based on more than 30 FIRs filed over the previous two months in various districts of Uttar Pradesh, including Lucknow, Varanasi, Sonbhadra, Saharanpur, and Ghaziabad. These cases pertain to the illegal stocking, transportation, trading, and cross-border smuggling of codeine-based cough syrup.
The estimated proceeds of crime involved are over one thousand crore rupees.
ED officials stated that the main accused, Shubham Jaiswal, is absconding and is believed to be in Dubai. His father, Bhola Prasad, has been arrested.
So far, Uttar Pradesh Police have arrested 32 people in connection with the case. The Uttar Pradesh Government has also constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to ensure a coordinated and comprehensive probe.
ED raids 25 locations in illegal cough syrup case across UP, Jharkhand, Gujarat
