Mastermind of MP’s illegal cough syrup racket held in Kerala

Bhopal: Nearly three months after a major raid led to the seizure of over 73,000 bottles of codeine-based cough syrups, Madhya Pradesh special task force (STF) arrested the alleged mastermind behind the illegal manufacturing and distribution network operating from Bhopal on Tuesday from Thiruvananthapuram.The accused, Rahul Kushwaha, who carried a reward of Rs 20,000, had evaded arrest so far by moving across multiple states.STF officers said Kushwaha owned a factory at Patel City in Bhopal’s Gandhinagar area, where the illegal refilling, repackaging and distribution of the cough syrups was allegedly being carried out. During the raid, STF had seized 49,920 bottles of Onrex syrup and 23,125 bottles of Off Cuff syrup from the premises.Codeine-based cough syrup is classified as a prescription-only drug in India, with its sale restricted to curb addiction.According to STF, Kushwaha fled to Shimla after the raid, before travelling to Kerala. Acting on technical surveillance and intelligence inputs, a police team led by inspector Virendra Jha tracked him down in Thiruvananthapuram and brought him back to Bhopal after procuring a transit remand from a court there.

The probe also revealed an alleged network of dummy medical firms used to facilitate procurement and distribution of the cough syrups. STF alleged that Kushwaha, in collusion with other accused, opened firms in Bhopal and Mandideep using identity documents of associates to conceal the operation.Officials further alleged that the accused used transport vehicles belonging to other members of the syndicate to supply the syrups across MP’s Mahakaushal and Vindhya regions.Kushwaha has been remanded to STF custody until June 27. Investigators are questioning him to trace the supply chain, identify financiers, and determine the scale of the inter-state network.