Cough syrup smuggling: U.P. Police attaches assets worth ₹28.5 crore of key accused
Image used for representation | Photo Credit: The Hindu Uttar Pradesh Police on Friday (January 23, 2026) initiated attachment proceedings against movable and immovable assets worth around ₹28.50 crore belonging to Bhola Prasad, the prime accused in a codeine-based cough syrup smuggling case, following court orders, officials said. The attachment was carried out at three different locations in Varanasi under the supervision of Sonbhadra City Circle Officer Randhir Kumar Mishra, police said. Prasad, a resident of Varanasi Commissionerate area, is currently lodged in Sonbhadra district jail. Sonbhadra Superintendent of Police (SP) Abhishek Verma said during the special investigation team’s probe into the illegal trade of cough syrup containing codeine, it was found that the main accused had been operating an organised syndicate and amassed assets worth about ₹28.50 crore through the illicit business. Based on the findings, the properties were identified, and a report was submitted to the court seeking attachment under Section 107 (attachment, forfeiture, or restoration of property derived from criminal activity) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). Considering the evidence, the …








