LUCKNOW: In a crackdown on the illegal trade of narcotic and counterfeit medicines, the Uttar Pradesh Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA), in coordination with the local police, seized psychotropic drugs, codeine-based cough syrups and allopathic medicines worth Rs 1.13 crore from three unlicensed warehouses in Gonda district.One accused has been arrested, while the alleged kingpin remains absconding.The action was carried out as part of the state’s special campaign against the illegal manufacture and distribution of fake and narcotic medicines.Acting on intelligence inputs, the operation was conducted under the directions of the FSDA Headquarters, Lucknow, with a joint team comprising drug inspectors from nine districts and the Gonda police.The raids were conducted over three consecutive days from July 16 to 18 in Bariyar Purwa Sonar Gali and Bargaon under Kotwali Nagar police station limits.According to officials, the team initially inspected Aman Pharmaceuticals at its registered address on the Gonda-Balrampur Road in Jaynagra, Bargaon.However, the firm was found to be non-functional at the declared premises, with no signboard or business activity at the location.During further inquiry, the team reached the residence of the firm’s proprietor, where Shivam Kasaudhan, brother of the proprietor Aman Kasaudhan, disclosed that they were operating the business from another location in Bariyar Purwa, Bhattha Sonar Gali without any valid drug licence.Subsequent searches led to the discovery of two additional warehouses, both allegedly operating illegally without licences under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act.Officials said the operators failed to produce any valid purchase invoices, stock registers or records relating to the procurement and sale of medicines during the inspection.During the extensive search operation, officials seized a massive stock of psychotropic and allopathic medicines allegedly intended for illegal distribution.The seizure included 53,712 Diptram Plus capsules, 14,700 Ultranim-P tablets, 59,256 Proxispas capsules, 2,82,960 Semplx Plus capsules, 32,160 Roemer Spas capsules, 1,96,000 Tramadol injections, 60,000 Alprazolam (Alzomac 0.5) tablets and 63 bottles of codeine phosphate syrups (Anrex/Onerex).The total value of the seized medicines has been estimated at Rs 1.13 crore. Officials also collected 19 drug samples, which have been sent to the government laboratory for quality analysis.Based on the laboratory findings and the outcome of the investigation, prosecution will be initiated under the relevant provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 against the persons and firms found responsible.Police arrested Shivam Kasaudhan, son of Pramod Kasaudhan and a resident of Rani Bazar, Bargaon, from the spot.His brother, Aman Kasaudhan, alleged to be the main proprietor and co-accused in the illegal operation, managed to flee.Multiple police teams have been formed to trace and arrest him.Given the large quantity of psychotropic medicines recovered and the alleged illegal trade in substances prone to abuse, an FIR (No. 676/2026, dated July 19) has been registered at Kotwali Nagar police station under Sections 8 and 21 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.Officials said further investigation is underway to identify the supply chain and ascertain whether the network has links with other districts or states.In another major crackdown on the illegal trade of counterfeit medicines, the Uttar Pradesh Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA), in coordination with Lucknow Police, uncovered an interstate network involved in the manufacture and distribution of fake and unlicensed medicines.During the operation, officials seized suspected allopathic and narcotic medicines worth nearly Rs 25 lakh from illegal warehouses in Lucknow and registered an FIR against several accused.Acting on intelligence inputs, a joint team of drug inspectors from multiple districts raided an unlicensed warehouse in Aminabad on July 8 and 9.Officials recovered large quantities of medicines bearing labels of reputed brands, many of which contained spelling errors on the packaging, indicating they were prima facie counterfeit.The operator, Ranjeet Singh Julka, allegedly failed to produce a valid drug licence, purchase invoices or stock records.During questioning, investigators learnt that medicines were procured without bills from suppliers in Lucknow, Gonda, Sitapur and Varanasi before being sold in the market.The FSDA collected 27 drug samples for laboratory testing and sealed medicines worth about Rs 21 lakh. In a linked raid at Bakshi Ka Talab, officials seized another Rs 3 lakh worth of suspected medicines and collected four additional samples.Investigators also found evidence linking the racket to suppliers in Rajasthan, who allegedly manufactured counterfeit medicines for distribution in Uttar Pradesh.Based on the findings, an FIR has been registered at Aminabad police station under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Officials said prosecution under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, will also be initiated after laboratory reports are received.
