Delhi Police Crackdown on Counterfeit Medicine Racket

The Delhi Police's Crime Branch uncovered a major interstate racket producing and selling fake Schedule-H medicines, posing severe health risks. Two individuals were arrested, and counterfeit drugs worth over Rs 2.3 crore were seized. The investigation expanded to trace the illegal supply chain of these fake medications.

The Delhi Police Crime Branch has dismantled a significant interstate racket that was allegedly involved in the manufacture, repackaging, and sale of counterfeit Schedule-H medicines across the country, an official announced Sunday.

A manufacturing unit has been located, and counterfeit drugs and raw materials valued at over Rs 2.3 crore have been seized by the police.

Two suspects, Gaurav Bhagat from Ghaziabad and Shree Ram alias Vishal Gupta from Sabhapur, Delhi, have been apprehended in connection with the case, according to Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime Branch) Aditya Gautam.

The operation, executed by the Crime Branch, revealed that the accused were producing fake versions of popular prescription ointments like Betnovate-C and Clop-G, which treat skin infections, allergies, and sports injuries. This illicit activity posed a significant risk to public health as the spurious medicines were marketed as genuine products.

Acting on a tip-off, the Crime Branch conducted a raid at Teliwara in Sadar Bazar, a leading wholesale pharmaceutical market, leading to the recovery of a large quantity of counterfeit products.

Further technical analysis and intelligence efforts directed the team to a manufacturing unit in Meerpur Hindu village, Loni area of Ghaziabad. The search resulted in the confiscation of counterfeit medicines, vast amounts of raw chemicals, packing supplies, empty branded tubes, and machinery for manufacturing ointments.

Inspectors from the North and Central Zones of Delhi and UP partnered with pharmaceutical company representatives to inspect and draw samples from the seized inventory, confirming their counterfeit nature. The suspects were found operating without proper licenses for manufacturing or selling drugs.

An FIR was filed at the Crime Branch police station on December 12, involving various sections of the BNS and the Drugs and Cosmetics Act. Seized items included around 1,200 fake Betnovate-C tubes, over 2,700 counterfeit Clop-G tubes, and extensive quantities of raw chemicals and manufacturing equipment. Ongoing investigations aim to uncover the complete supply chain involved in this illicit trade.

(With inputs from agencies.)