VARANASI, Dec. 22 -- The drug and warehouse licenses of Shaili Traders, allegedly used for large-scale codeine-based cough syrup smuggling, were obtained by submitting forged documents to the drugs department, the special investigating team (SIT) of Sonbhadra police said on Monday.

Shubham Jaiswal, his father Bhola Prasad Jaiswal, identified as the prime accused, allegedly submitted forged documents including a warehouse lease agreement, experience certificate, Aadhaar card and registered mobile number to obtain licenses from the drug department, Ranchi, Jharkhand.

The investigation revealed the drug trafficking racket operated by Shaili Traders in Ranchi, has links extending to Siliguri, Darjeeling, West Bengal, near the Bangladesh bor...