LUCKNOW: A dismissed Uttar Pradesh police constable, Alok Pratap Singh, has been arrested by the Special Task Force (STF) for his involvement in an inter-state syndicate smuggling codeine-based cough syrups. The arrest has unveiled a shocking disparity between his official income and his lifestyle, with investigators discovering a lavish mansion worth crores in Lucknow.
The 7,000 Sq. Ft. "Palace"
Alok Pratap Singh, whose last drawn salary was approximately ₹40,000 per month, owns a sprawling 7,000-square-foot mansion in Ahmamau, near the Lucknow-Sultanpur highway. Following his arrest, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) raided the property, uncovering opulence that stunned officials.
Construction Value: Estimated at ₹5 crore, excluding land cost.
Interiors: Another ₹1.5 - ₹2 crore was reportedly spent on interiors alone.
Luxury Features: The two-story house boasts ornate European-style interiors, spiral staircases, vintage lighting, and expensive furniture.
Seizures: During the raid, officials seized luxury items including Prada and Gucci handbags, Rado watches, and multiple electronic devices.
Videos of the mansion have gone viral on social media, sparking disbelief and outrage over how a constable could amass such visible wealth.
The Smuggling Syndicate
Alok Singh was arrested on December 2, 2025, after his name surfaced during the interrogation of another accused, Amit Kumar Singh (alias Amit Tata).
Modus Operandi: The gang allegedly created bogus medical firms using forged documents to divert codeine-based cough syrups like Phensedyl. These controlled substances, legally sold only via prescription, were diverted from legitimate supply chains in Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand.
Trafficking Route: The syrups were smuggled to states like West Bengal and eventually trafficked across the border into Bangladesh, where they are abused as intoxicants.
Role: Singh allegedly operated two wholesale drug units and mentored other recruits from districts like Chandauli and Ghazipur, leveraging his police connections to shield the illegal trade.
A History of Misconduct
This is not Singh's first brush with the law. He was first arrested in 2006 for looting 4 kg of gold while posted with the Special Operations Group (SOG) in Lucknow. Although dismissed, he was reinstated after an acquittal. He was dismissed a second time in 2019 following fresh allegations of misconduct, after which he reportedly turned to full-time involvement in the illegal trade.
Ongoing Investigation
The case is part of a massive crackdown by the UP government, which has set up a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the racket. So far:
Over 120 FIRs have been registered.
32 people have been arrested.
3.5 lakh bottles of cough syrup worth ₹4.5 crore have been seized.
The ED is running a parallel money laundering probe to trace the financial trail of the syndicate.
Authorities are now investigating the "super-stockists" and manufacturers involved, with the probe widening to include financial transactions that fueled such illicit empires.