Uttar Pradesh police have carried out a massive crackdown on illegal drug diversion, seizing more than 1.2 million bottles of codeine-based cough syrup across 40 districts. Authorities also canceled 1,166 drug licenses, filed 79 FIRs, and arrested 78 individuals under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. The operation marks one of the largest actions against pharmaceutical misuse in the state.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath directly blamed wholesalers in cities such as Saharanpur and Lucknow for illegally diverting prescription syrups intended for medical use into intoxicant markets abroad. He alleged that a major supplier, licensed during the previous Samajwadi Party (SP) government, played a central role in the racket. The revelations have intensified political debate over accountability and regulation in the pharmaceutical trade.
Adityanath dismissed opposition claims that local fatalities had resulted from the crackdown, calling such allegations “false propaganda.” He further linked some of the accused individuals to SP leaders, suggesting political protection had enabled the illegal trade to flourish. His remarks have escalated tensions between the ruling party and opposition, fueling heated exchanges in the assembly and beyond.
The Chief Minister warned that “no one will escape justice”, emphasizing that the state government would pursue every violator regardless of political affiliation. Protests have erupted in several districts, with opposition parties accusing the government of targeting rivals, while supporters hail the crackdown as a decisive step against narcotics misuse. The episode underscores the growing challenge of balancing pharmaceutical regulation, public health, and political accountability in Uttar Pradesh.
