The Delhi Police Crime Branch has successfully dismantled a major interstate pharmaceutical racket involved in manufacturing and selling spurious life-saving medicines. The operations were spread across Uttar Pradesh and Delhi, leading to the arrest of six individuals. The racket had been active since 2011-12, manufacturing counterfeit drugs in Muzaffarnagar and distributing them through wholesale markets in Delhi like Bhagirath Palace.
Details of the Operation and Financial Impact
The investigation began on March 11 following a tip-off received by the Cyber Crime Branch in Old Delhi. During the raids, the police seized counterfeit drugs worth approximately ₹2 crore. Beyond the fake medicines, the investigation exposed a network of fake Goods and Services Tax (GST) firms that generated bogus invoices worth nearly ₹50 crore to facilitate the illegal trade. The illegal manufacturing unit in Muzaffarnagar was found to be operating without any valid license.
Common Life-Saving Medicines Recovered
The police recovered over 1.2 lakh counterfeit tablets and capsules. These seized items were Schedule-H drugs prescribed for critical conditions like hypertension, diabetes, and infections. The list of counterfeit medicines recovered includes several popular brands:
| Condition | Medicine Names Recovered |
|---|---|
| Diabetes & Hypertension | Telma-AM, Gluconorm series, Jalra-50 |
| Infections & Inflammation | Signoflam, Chymoral Forte, Moxovas, Montair-LC |
| Gastro & Liver | Rabemac-DSR, Sporlac-DS, Ursocol-300 |
| Pain & Supplements | Ketorol-DT, Gemcal, CCM |
Arrests and Current Status of Investigation
- Nikhil Arora alias Sunny: Operated a pharmacy in Bhagirath Palace and a wholesale shop in Shahdara.
- UP and Uttarakhand Suppliers: Shivam Tyagi, Mayank Aggarwal, and Mohit Kumar Sharma.
- GST Fraud Managers: Shahrukh and Rahul, who managed fake firms using encrypted messaging platforms.
- Absconding: Mohammad Aqdas Siddiqui, who allegedly ran the illegal manufacturing unit in Muzaffarnagar.
DCP Crime Aditya Gautam confirmed that the seized medicines lacked active pharmaceutical ingredients, making them ineffective and dangerous. The Delhi Police has advised citizens to purchase medicines only from authorized sources and verified pharmacies to avoid health risks.
