Shubham Jaiswal earned more than Rs 150 crore in just 3 years, he created a network through which he used to buy cough syrup worth Rs 120 from the company and send it to Bangladesh, where a bottle is sold for Rs 1500 to 1800.

Shubham Jaiswal, the cough syrup "king" of Varanasi, is absconding, but his misdeeds are being discussed nationwide. He neither manufactured nor sold syrup, yet in just three years, he built a illicit business that earned him over 150 crore rupees. The once-young man, a motorcycle rider, quickly became such a prominent figure that billboards for him appeared on every street corner in Varanasi.

Shubham Jaiswal's name came to light in the cough syrup case when 8.9 million bottles of codeine-containing cough syrup from Abbott Company went missing. When the investigation began, it was revealed that 5 million bottles had been claimed to be consumed in Varanasi alone. The 28 medical stores to which these bottles were sent did not exist, and the warehouses whose addresses were provided were found to be empty. Drug Inspector Junab Ali filed a case against Shubham Jaiswal, his father Bhola Prasad, and 26 other drug dealers in this case. Cases under the NDPS Act, money laundering, and criminal conspiracy have been registered in this case.

What is the whole matter?

Shubham Jaiswal's name came to light in the cough syrup case when 8.9 million bottles of codeine-containing cough syrup from Abbott Company went missing. When the investigation began, it was revealed that 5 million bottles had been claimed to be consumed in Varanasi alone. The 28 medical stores to which these bottles were sent did not exist, and the warehouses whose addresses were provided were found to be empty. Drug Inspector Junab Ali filed a case against Shubham Jaiswal, his father Bhola Prasad, and 26 other drug dealers in this case. Cases under the NDPS Act, money laundering, and criminal conspiracy have been registered in this case.

What is Shubham's story?

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Shubham's story began in 2019-20, when he was studying at Harishchandra College in Varanasi. He aspired to become a leader, but financial constraints prevented him from doing so. Meanwhile, the coronavirus pandemic struck, and Shubham landed a job as an accountant at a medical wholesaler. There, he learned that codeine-based cough syrup was in high demand in Bangladesh, but without a network, he couldn't enter this business.

In this situation, he was helped by Ranchi-based Shaili Traders Company. It is claimed that Shubham's father, Bhola Prasad, is the proprietor of this firm. This company already had a network, and Shubham used it to establish a supply chain and, under the guise of distribution, began purchasing cough syrup directly from the company and sending it to Bangladesh.

What is Codeine?

Codeine is a narcotic analgesic drug used to relieve mild pain and control coughs. This drug acts on the brain and reduces pain signals. In India, it is produced in combination with other molecules. A doctor's prescription is required to purchase this syrup, as it is believed that this type of cough syrup can be addictive.

Codeine is a substitute for alcohol in Bangladesh

Bangladesh has strict alcohol regulations. Muslims are completely prohibited from purchasing or consuming alcohol, while non-Muslims must obtain a permit card. Foreigners can purchase alcohol from hotels and bars, but this is strictly recorded. Therefore, Bangladeshis are using this syrup as an alternative to alcohol. According to The Daily Star, this drug enters Bangladesh through smuggling, which is why a syrup that costs around 120 rupees in India sells for 1500 to 1800 rupees in Bangladesh.

What are the rules in Bangladesh?

Another reason for codeine-containing syrup being smuggled from India to Bangladesh is that under the Drug Control Ordinance 1982, codeine-containing cough syrup was completely banned in Bangladesh. Later, it was relaxed, but the quantity of codeine was fixed such that it could not be used for intoxication. Whereas the syrup made in India has a higher quantity of codeine, hence it is transported there through smuggling network.

How does this syrup go from India to Bangladesh?

Many pharmaceutical companies in India manufacture cough syrups containing codeine, including several major brands. From here, these are smuggled through a network to Tripura and then to Bangladesh. An entire network operates to smuggle these syrups across the border. Due to the high price of the syrup, the entire smuggling network reaps significant profits. There is also a network within Bangladesh that sells it to those seeking an alternative to alcohol.

How did you establish dominance in Banaras?

Shubham had found a network and began expanding his illegal business, purchasing goods directly from the company and sending them to Bangladesh. He knew that if he sent all the goods directly to Bangladesh, he would be caught. That is why he consistently showed sales of syrup to medical stores in Varanasi and other cities of the state, but in reality, these goods were sent directly to Bangladesh. So far, the names of several such medical stores have come to light in Ghaziabad, in addition to Varanasi, but these are not actually medical stores.

Lifestyle started changing

As profits from illegal activities began to accrue, Shubham Jaiswal, who used to ride a motorcycle, quickly switched to luxury vehicles. He owns several luxury vehicles, including a Defender. This Diwali, he distributed sweets to medical wholesalers and other pharmaceutical dealers throughout Varanasi. The special thing was that the boxes containing the sweets bore Shubham Jaiswal's photo.

SIT is investigating the case

After the case unraveled, Varanasi Police Commissioner Mohit Agarwal formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT). Teams from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Income Tax Department also examined records. Currently, 1.57 lakh bottles of cough syrup have been found in Ghaziabad and Varanasi. It is claimed that this consignment was destined for export to the country through Asif of Meerut.