SRINAGAR: Authorities have busted a major counterfeit medicine racket in the Pabhat Godown area of Zirakpur, with Chandigarh Police sealing a pharmaceutical unit after a six-hour-long raid, according to Hindustan Times.
As reported by The Times of India, senior drug control officials said strict action would be taken against all those involved, adding that efforts are underway to trace the full supply chain and distribution network associated with the operation.
The raid was conducted by a joint team of local police, the Drug Control Department and the Food Safety Department following specific intelligence inputs. During the operation, two pharmaceutical units in the area were inspected, exposing serious violations of drug manufacturing and safety norms.
Officials found one unit manufacturing medicines under highly unhygienic and unsafe conditions, with raw materials left uncovered and improper handling practices being followed. The facility was operating without mandatory licences and regulatory approvals and was immediately sealed. The second unit remains under investigation.
A large quantity of illegally manufactured products was seized, including tablets, injections, cough syrups, paediatric medicines, protein supplements, and Ayurvedic and homeopathic formulations. Cosmetic items such as face creams, mouthwash and pain-relief balms were also recovered.
Investigators also seized stamp pads and counterfeit packaging material allegedly used to print forged batch numbers, manufacturing and expiry dates, and maximum retail prices on the products.
Nearly 20 samples of medicines and related items were collected for laboratory testing to verify their composition and quality. Officials said the test results would determine the next course of legal action.
Local residents told authorities that the illegal operation had allegedly been running for more than five years, with products supplied not only within Punjab but also to several other states, raising concerns over a potential inter-state public health risk.
Police are verifying the backgrounds of the factory owners and workers to identify possible links to a larger organised network. Further action will be taken based on laboratory findings and the ongoing investigation.
