Written by Manish SahuLucknow | Updated: December 10, 2025 06:28 AM IST 2 min readIn total, the police have so far seized nearly 3.5 lakh bottles of codeine syrup so far, worth around Rs 4.5 crore in the market.A three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by an Inspector General–rank officer took charge of the probe into the illegal storage, sale, and trafficking of codeine-based cough syrups and other narcotic medicines. The move comes amid a surge in cases across Uttar Pradesh, with 128 FIRs registered so far in 28 districts, indicating a large and organised network behind the racket.Inspector General of Police, Law & Order, LR Kumar will head the SIT while its two members will be Senior Superintendent of Police, STF, Ghule Sushil Chandrabhan and Akhilesh Kumar Jain, Assistant Commissioner (Headquarters), Food Safety and Drug Administration Department.An official said the SIT has been formed because the case spans multiple districts and involves several departments, requiring coordinated action to curb such incidents and ensure effective legal proceedings.According to the official, the SIT will probe illegal financial transactions linked to the trafficking of codeine syrup, its diversion, inter-state networks, and money laundering. It will also initiate extradition proceedings against accused individuals who have fled abroad. The team has been directed to ensure high-quality, time-bound investigation, with a detailed action-taken report to be submitted to the government within one month.In total, the police have so far seized nearly 3.5 lakh bottles of codeine syrup so far, worth around Rs 4.5 crore in the market.Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram© The Indian Express Pvt LtdTags:lucknow