Spurious medicine seizure leads police to unravel interstate web

What initially began as a seizure of counterfeit pharmaceuticals quickly unravelled an interstate fake medicine web spread across Uttar Pradesh (Moradabad, Deoria and Gorakhpur), Haryana (Panipat and Jind) and Himachal Pradesh (Baddi and Solan).

The police arrested six people, including the alleged kingpin and unearthed two factories, one in Jind, Haryana, and another in Baddi, Himachal Pradesh.

It began with a tip-off about a consignment of fake medicines entering Delhi. On July 30, a small hatchback was intercepted on Shyamnath Marg, Civil Lines, in North Delhi and two people, Mohammad Alam (35) and his brother Mohammad Saleem (42), both residents of Moradabad, UP, were found carrying strips of Ultracet and Augmentin 625, medicines typically prescribed for severe infections and pain.

On the basis of suspicion, a team from the drug manufacturers was called who confirmed that the packaging and serial codes on the medicine boxes were fake and could potentially work as poison, if consumed.

A follow-up interrogation of both brothers revealed critical leads - names, supply routes and even social media posts that served as points of contact for new recruits into the racket.

The syndicate was found using social media platforms to advertise and recruit people, and encrypted apps to avoid detection.

A manufacturing unit was traced to Jind, Haryana, operated by Parmanand (50), a factory owner with prior pharmaceutical links.

Another factory in Parwanoo, Solan (HP), was busted, where counterfeit tablets and creams were being packaged using high-end blister packing machines.

The syndicate was being run by Rajesh (52), a resident of Gorakhpur and a former pharma executive.

Using his insider knowledge, he sourced packaging materials, dyes and stamps — enough to convincingly replicate trusted medications like Betnovate-N Cream, Pan-40, Zero Dol SP and Clavam 625, said Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Harsh Indora.

Moreover, mobile phones were also recovered that contained contacts saved under aliases like “Komal ji Karnal” and “Pappy Bhaiya GKP”, indicating the covert and coded operations of the gang, Indora said.

Deliveries were often made using personal vehicles, public transport or through “jhola chaap” doctors — unlicensed rural practitioners — who distributed these counterfeit drugs in small towns and villages, the cop added.

The syndicate used everything from WhatsApp chats to QR code payments, making the task of tracking them a formidable challenge. With each arrest, the network kept expanding — and so did the evidence.

All six accused are in police custody. Their interrogation has yielded vast digital, financial and testimonial evidence, which is now being analysed, the police official mentioned.