LUCKNOW, Oct. 12 -- A key supplier of illegal and highly addictive codeine syrup has been apprehended following a coordinated raid by the narcotics department and the Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA) in Lucknow, authorities said on Saturday.

The accused, identified as Deepak Malwani, was arrested from his residence in Sneh Nagar, VIP Road, Alambagh. Four cartons of codeine syrup, along with a large quantity of restricted allopathic medicines and multivitamins, were seized, officials said, adding the accused had been booked under the NDPS Act, and further raids on linked shops and suppliers were underway.

According to officials, the operation followed a tip-off regarding Malwani's illegal activities. Investigations revealed tha...