Varanasi Police Move to Seize Over Rs 30.52 Crore in Assets Linked to Codeine Syndicate
In a significant crackdown on organized drug trafficking, the Rohania police in Varanasi have taken decisive action by issuing notices to forfeit movable and immovable assets valued at more than Rs 30.52 crore. These assets belong to Bhola Jaiswal, the father of alleged codeine syrup smuggling kingpin Shubham Jaiswal, who is currently incarcerated at Sonbhadra jail.
Legal Action Under SAFEMA and NDPS Act
The authorities are initiating this forfeiture under the Smugglers and Foreign Exchange Manipulators (Forfeiture of Property) Act, 1976 (SAFEMA). This marks the second consecutive day of such actions, following Sonbhadra police's attachment of properties worth over Rs 28 crore in Varanasi on Friday. Notably, many of the properties listed in both the Varanasi and Sonbhadra actions overlap, indicating a coordinated effort to dismantle the financial networks of the accused.
Commissioner of Police Mohit Agrawal highlighted that the ongoing syrup probe by Rohania police, conducted under Section-68(F) of the NDPS Act, has uncovered eight movable assets and three bank accounts. Notices to forfeit these assets were issued, and the forfeiture process was successfully completed on Saturday.
Detailed List of Targeted Properties and Accounts
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Varuna zone) Pramod Kumar provided specifics on the assets targeted. A notice has been served to Bhola Prasad in Sonbhadra jail and at his house in Tulsipur under Bhelupur, valued at Rs 23 crore and registered in the name of Bhola and Shaili Traders. Additionally, notices have been displayed at:
- Three plots in Jagdishpur Koilasla with values of Rs 43,02,540, Rs 57,13,400, and Rs 43,51,182.
- One plot valued at Rs 71 lakh in Bharlaai Shivpur.
- A plot in the name of his wife Sharda valued at Rs 1.15 crore in Madauli.
- A residential building in her name valued at Rs 1.98 crore at Jagatganj Ramkatora.
- A residential building in the names of Sharda and their daughter valued at Rs 1.05 crore in Habibpura Lallapura.
Officials have also issued notices to freeze debit access on three Indian Bank accounts holding amounts of Rs 58,21,486, Rs 1,38,336.99, and Rs 60,00,000. The attachment process will proceed after 48 hours of serving these notices.
Previous Actions and Ongoing Investigation
On Friday, Sonbhadra police completed the procedure of forfeiting three residential buildings and one luxury car, along with freezing four bank accounts. T Sarvanan, in-charge of the special investigation team probing the matter and DCP (crime), confirmed that some properties are common to both the Varanasi and Sonbhadra police actions, underscoring the interconnected nature of this case.
The Rohania police station's probe into the codeine-cough-syrup case was launched following a massive Fensedyl seizure. Investigations reveal that Abbott supplied the syrup to accused Bhola, proprietor of Shaili Traders, as confirmed by the company's report. It is alleged that Bhola and his son operated an organized syndicate that trafficked the drug on a large scale, amassing movable and immovable assets worth approximately Rs 30.52 crore through illicit means.
This crackdown highlights the authorities' commitment to disrupting the financial underpinnings of drug trafficking networks in the region.
