Varanasi Cough Syrup Scam: 5 Arrested for Fake Pharma Companies
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In a major crackdown, Varanasi police have arrested five individuals for their alleged involvement in a large-scale cough syrup scam. The accused created fake pharmaceutical companies using forged documents to supply codeine-laced cough syrup to Bihar, West Bengal, and Bangladesh. According to Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police Neetu Katyayan, two separate cases were registered at Rohania and Sarnath police stations. A total of five people were arrested in these cases, including Swapnil Kesari, Dinesh Yadav, Ashish Yadav, Vishnu Pandey, and Lokesh Agarwal. The accused allegedly operated shell companies to generate fake GST bills and invoices, with large financial transactions made through these companies. The investigation revealed that the companies existed only on paper, with no actual purchase or sale of goods. The operation was carried out with the help of associates of the kingpins, Shubham Jaiswal and Divesh Jaiswal. During the investigation, police found five shell companies and detected fraudulent transactions worth ₹23 crore. The cough syrup was sent to neighboring states and countries at inflated prices, with the money received routed back to Varanasi through hawala channels. The Special Investigation Team is now examining the diversion of medicines, financial transactions, and links among the accused. The state government has registered 79 cases, named 225 people, and arrested 78 accused in connection with the scam. Police are also probing an alleged illegal network involved in the storage and distribution of highly regulated codeine-laced cough syrups across the state.
