Interpol issues red corner notice for fugitive codeine syndicate kingpin Shubham Jaiswal

VARANASI: The possibility of an early arrest of fugitive codeine syrup smuggling syndicate kingpin Shubham Jaiswal from Dubai in the UAE increased on Thursday after Interpol issued a red corner notice in this regard.

Confirming the issuance of the red corner notice, DCP Varuna Zone Pramod Kumar said he hoped Shubham would be arrested soon under the provisions of the notice and extradited to begin his trial in Varanasi.

Apart from investigators from Kotwali, Rohaniya and Sarnath police stations, where cases related to codeine syrup smuggling are registered, a special investigation team (SIT) is also probing the multi-thousand-crore scam. In all three cases, Shubham, who left India on 5 November 2025 from Kolkata to Dubai, is declared a fugitive by the court.

In the case registered by Rohaniya police under sections of the NDPS Act, all proceedings, including filing the charge sheet, were completed by 12 February. When Shubham failed to appear in court, he was formally declared a fugitive. Investigators then requested Interpol, through the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) acting as India’s National Central Bureau (NCB), to issue a red corner notice for his arrest and extradition.

Since action began against Shubham and his syndicate members in November 2025, police have arrested a total of 30 accused, including his father, Bhola Prasad Jaiswal, and seized property worth around Rs 45 crore. Further investigation has revealed the syndicate’s connections in hawala, liquor, and other trades across several states.