Varanasi: Codeine Racket Kingpin Hunted, Associates Face Lookout Notices

• Varanasi authorities intensify crackdown on a multi-crore illegal codeine cough syrup racket, with the issue reaching the assembly.
• FSDA cancelled licenses of 22 pharmaceutical firms, including Jaiswal Medical, New PL Pharma, and Asha Distributor, for unsatisfactory responses regarding codeine syrup sales.
• Police issued lookout notices against four associates of alleged kingpin Shubham Jaiswal, including Divesh Jaiswal and Amit Jaiswal, fearing they might flee.
• Efforts to arrest Shubham Jaiswal are intensified; "bulldozer action" and property seizure are planned for him and his close associates.
• More firms like Gupta Trading, Harsh Medical Agency, Milan Drug Center face potential action if they fail to provide satisfactory information.

Why It Matters: Varanasi authorities are aggressively dismantling a major codeine syrup racket, targeting kingpins and firms.