Police Raid Associate of Drug Kingpin in Major Crackdown on Codeine Syndicate

In a significant escalation against the illicit drug trade gripping the region, the Varanasi Police executed a targeted late-night raid at the residence of Prashant Upadhyay, a key associate linked to the high-profile Codeine Cough Syrup racket.

The raid is part of the ongoing investigation into the network surrounding the main accused, Shubham Jaiswal, and marks a tightening of the noose around the city's illegal pharmaceutical supply chain.

The Operation: Late-Night Search in Manduadih The operation was spearheaded by ACP (Crime) Vijay Pratap Singh, leading a joint task force comprising officers from the Kotwali, Adampur, and Ramnagar police stations.

Location: The team descended upon Upadhyay’s residence in the Madrauli area of Manduadih.

Duration: The intensive search operation lasted for over two hours.

Suspect Absconding, Businesses under Scrutiny Prashant Upadhyay, who remains at large, is identified as a major player in the Saptasagar Medicine Market. He operates two key entities: 'Radhika Enterprises' and 'Rajendra Drug Agency'.

Investigators suspect Upadhyay played a critical role in facilitating financial transactions worth crores for the illegal syndicate, specifically linked to FIR number 235/2025.

Key Seizures & Incriminating Evidence While the suspect managed to evade capture, the police team recovered substantial evidence connecting him to the illicit trade. Seized items include:

Digital Evidence: Laptops and pen drives suspected to contain detailed transaction logs.

Physical Evidence: Wrappers and vials of Codeine syrup found on the premises.

Documents: Fake documentation and financial records pointing to money laundering or falsified sales.

The 'Shaili Traders' Connection Police are now deepening their probe into Upadhyay’s connection with a firm named 'Shaili Traders' as well as his direct dealings with the jailed kingpin, Shubham Jaiswal. The recovery of digital records is expected to expose further links in the supply chain of the banned syrup.

The police have launched a manhunt to apprehend Upadhyay, stating that his arrest is crucial to dismantling the financial backbone of this drug network.