Authorities have escalated their investigation into the ‘Coldrif’ cough syrup crisis, with the Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducting searches at seven key premises in Chennai connected to Sreesan Pharma. The raids, executed under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), are part of a larger effort to understand the financial underpinnings of the manufacturing and distribution of the deadly cough syrup. These locations reportedly include the residences of influential figures within the Tamil Nadu drug control administration, indicating a potential systemic failure or complicity.
The ‘Coldrif’ cough syrup has been tragically linked to multiple child fatalities, most recently in Chhindwara, Madhya Pradesh, where at least 22 young lives were lost. This ED action is the third significant move against pharmaceutical entities in Chennai recently, following investigations into a major bank loan fraud and an international drug trafficking ring. The searches at Sreesan Pharma aim to uncover potential money laundering activities and illicit financial flows associated with the production and sale of the adulterated product. Investigators are meticulously examining financial records and business dealings to establish a clear link between the company’s operations and the tragic outcomes, signaling a robust pursuit of justice for the victims and their families.