Chennai, Oct 13 (PTI) The ED on Monday raided premises linked to Sresan Pharmaceuticals, the manufacturer of Coldrif cough syrup linked to the deaths of children in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, and top officials of the Tamil Nadu FDA as part of a money laundering investigation, official sources said.

At least seven premises in Chennai are being covered by the Enforcement Directorate as part of the action under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), they said.

At least 20 children, mostly under the age of five, have died after being administered Coldrif in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.

Licensed in 2011 by the Tamil Nadu Food and Drug Administration (TNFDA), the Kanchipuram-based Sresan Pharma continued operations unchecked for over a decade despite its dismal infrastructure and multiple violations of national drug safety rules, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has said.

The cough syrup was found to be "dangerously" adulterated with diethylene glycol (DEG), a highly poisonous substance.

The owner of Sresan Pharmaceuticals, G Ranganathan, was arrested by Madhya Pradesh Police on October 9. PTI NES DIV DIV

Money laundering investigation under PMLA prompts raids on manufacturer and drug regulator over adulterated cough syrup. Enforcement action under the PMLA prompted coordinated raids at premises linked to Sresan Pharmaceuticals and Tamil Nadu FDA officials in a money laundering probe tied to distribution of Coldrif, a cough syrup found to be adulterated with diethylene glycol. Investigations note the product was licensed in 2011 yet distributed amid infrastructure and safety violations; searches covered multiple Chennai locations and the company owner was arrested.