The Delhi Crime Branch has successfully dismantled a major interstate network involved in the production and distribution of counterfeit life-saving medicines. During an operation that spanned throughout March, police officials arrested six individuals and seized fake drugs worth approximately 2 crore. These medicines were being sold under the names of reputable brands for treating serious health conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and liver disorders. The investigation uncovered that the group used a series of fake GST firms to provide legitimacy to their illegal trade.
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Key details of the arrested individuals and their roles
The operation led by the Cyber Cell unit of the Delhi Crime Branch resulted in the arrest of people from various locations. The network was widespread, involving individuals from Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. The accused used platforms like Telegram and WhatsApp to coordinate their supplies and billing activities to avoid direct detection.
| Name of the Accused | Role in the Racket | Primary Location |
|---|---|---|
| Nikhil Arora alias Sunny | Wholesale medicine dealer | Shahdara, Delhi |
| Shivam Tyagi & Mayank Aggarwal | Medicine Suppliers | Uttar Pradesh |
| Mohit Kumar Sharma | Key Supply Manager | Uttarakhand |
| Shahrukh & Rahul | Fake GST Billing Services | Multiple States |
How the counterfeit operation was conducted
The illegal group had been operating since 2011-12 and had established a sophisticated manufacturing unit in Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh. They focused on Schedule-H drugs which require a prescription and are used for critical illnesses. According to DCP Crime Aditya Gautam, the group used fake GST firms to generate bogus invoices worth nearly 50 crore to launder money and hide the movement of products.
- Seizure: Over 1.2 lakh counterfeit medicine units were recovered from the raids.
- Quality Check: Pharmaceutical company experts confirmed the seized items were entirely fake.
- Distribution: The medicines were supplied to various states across North India through wholesale markets.
- Risk: These medicines posed a severe risk to public health as they lacked any medicinal value.
The authorities started the crackdown with a raid in Shahdara on March 11. Subsequent investigations led the police to the manufacturing hub in Muzaffarnagar. The arrested suspects are currently under investigation to identify other pharmacy owners and distributors who might be part of this dangerous supply chain.
