Key accused in illegal sale of codeine-based cough syrups arrested

Lucknow: Police on Thursday arrested a key accused involved in the illegal sale of codeine-based cough syrups and other psychotropic medicines. In a joint operation, the Indiranagar police and surveillance team of Lucknow Police Commissionerate arrested a wanted accused linked to the illegal trade of codeine-based cough syrups and other narcotic and psychotropic substances. "The accused, identified as Arush Saxena (37), was arrested from Ghaziabad following technical surveillance and tip-off inputs," said a police officer. "The case dates back to Dec 9, 2025, when an inspector from the Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA), Lucknow, lodged a complaint regarding the illegal stocking and sale of large quantities of codeine-based cough syrups and other restricted medicines," said ACP Ghazipur (Indiranagar) Anindaya Vikram Singh."An FIR was subsequently registered at Indiranagar police station under relevant sections of the BNS and the NDPS Act," the ACP added. SHO Indira Nagar Sunil Kr Tiwari said the accused, along with his associates, was engaged in organised illegal trade of these substances to earn unlawful profits. "The drugs were allegedly sold for non-medical consumption, particularly among youths, raising concerns over growing substance abuse," he added. During the investigation, one accused, Pritam Singh alias Monty Sardar, was already arrested and sent to judicial custody. Arush Saxena was on the run since then and was finally tracked down in Ghaziabad. He has now been brought to Lucknow, and further legal proceedings are underway.