Authorities Freeze Rs 9.5 Crore Assets Linked to Codeine Trafficking Network in UP

Authorities in Uttar Pradesh have frozen assets worth Rs 9.5 crore linked to Vinod Agrawal, identified as the kingpin of an interstate codeine-based cough syrup trafficking network. The probe involves seizure of immovable properties, vehicles, and bank accounts, with nearly 11.5 lakh bottles recovered out of 26 lakh procured from pharmaceutical firms. Separately, police in Varanasi are moving to attach properties of absconding prime suspect Shubham Jaiswal, who is wanted internationally. Investigations cover multiple states and involve over 50 medical stores and companies under scrutiny.