LUCKNOW, April 18 -- Sonbhadra police have secured the preventive detention of Bhola Prasad, father of codeine-based cough syrup trafficking network's alleged kingpin Shubham Jaiswal, under the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (PIT NDPS) Act, 1988 for one year. The detention order was approved by the competent authority on April 15 following a proposal sent by superintendent of police (SP) Abhishek Verma through the district magistrate. Officials said the action is aimed at curbing the activities of habitual offenders involved in narcotics diversion and illegal trade. According to police, Bhola Prasad, a Varanasi resident, is accused of diverting codeine-based cough syrup into the black market. Investigations revealed the network used fake firms and forged billing to procure large quantities of regulated pharmaceutical syrup for illegal distribution. Police said the operation is part of an organised interstate and cross-border racket, with consignments allegedly routed as far as Bangladesh. The accused is believed to have played a key role in procurement and financial transactions linked to the syndicate. According to officials, the main accused, Shubham Jaiswal, operated through a fictitious firm, 'Shaili Traders', registered in his father's name, to obtain bulk supplies of Phensedyl cough syrup and divert them into illegal channels for profit. The PIT NDPS Act,1988 provides for preventive detention to stop individuals from engaging in illicit drug trafficking, complementing provisions of the NDPS Act, 1985. Officials said the move is part of a sustained crackdown on drug trafficking networks exploiting pharmaceutical supply chains....