India, Dec. 15 -- LUCKNOW After searches conducted at 24 locations in UP, Jharkhand and Gujarat, the Enforcement Directorate on Monday began analysis and evaluation of documents and other incriminating evidence seized in connection with the illegal trade of codeine-based cough syrup. Sleuths will also ascertain the role of companies whose documents were found during the searches.

While focus is on reconstructing the entire money trail linked to the racket, background verification of newly identified suspects commenced, raising the possibility of the probe expanding substantially in the coming days.

The agency also initiated a forensic audit of bank accounts linked to suspected shell companies to trace transactions involving crores of ru...