The Delhi Police have dismantled an interstate criminal operation responsible for manufacturing and distributing counterfeit life-saving medicines, leading to the arrest of six individuals and the seizure of fake drugs valued at approximately Rs 2 crore. The investigation also revealed a sophisticated network of fabricated Goods and Services Tax (GST) firms utilized to generate fraudulent invoices and launder proceeds from the illicit trade, with estimated fake billing reaching close to Rs 50 crore.
Information was available with The Chenab Times indicating that the apprehended racket was involved in the large-scale production, storage, and distribution of counterfeit Schedule-H drugs. These medications are commonly prescribed for prevalent conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and liver disorders, presenting a grave danger to public health.
The accused have been identified as Nikhil Arora, a wholesale medicine dealer from Shahdara; Shivam Tyagi and Mayank Aggarwal, both suppliers based in Uttar Pradesh; Mohit Kumar Sharma, a principal supplier from Uttarakhand; and Shahrukh and Rahul, who allegedly managed the fake GST entities that facilitated the illegal enterprise.
According to a senior police official, the operation commenced on March 11 following specific intelligence inputs, which led to a raid in Bihari Colony, Shahdara. During this action, Arora, who operated a wholesale medical shop in Bhagirathi Palace, was apprehended.
The raid yielded over 1.2 lakh counterfeit tablets and capsules, including fraudulent versions of widely used medications such as Rabemac-DSR, Telma-AM, Sporolac-DS, Signoflam, Chymoral Forte, Ursocol-300, Gluconorm, and Jalra-50, among others. These pharmaceuticals are frequently administered to patients managing chronic illnesses, and the circulation of such counterfeit drugs can lead to severe, potentially fatal outcomes, the official added.
Further inquiries revealed that the accused had developed a complex methodology to evade detection. The counterfeit medicines were distributed using fabricated invoices generated through fictitious GST firms that existed solely on paper. These shell entities were established to obscure the true nature of the business activities, avoid tax scrutiny, and lend an appearance of legitimacy to the unlawful transactions. The financial transactions were deliberately channeled through these fake companies to conceal both the origin and destination of the spurious medicines.
Shahrukh and Rahul were identified as key figures in this aspect of the operation. They allegedly operated the fake GST network using encrypted communication platforms, providing ready-made companies and bogus billing services to clients across various states. Analysis of their mobile devices uncovered details of numerous shell companies and fake invoices totaling approximately Rs 50 crore, along with connections to several beneficiaries.
The investigation extended to an illegal pharmaceutical manufacturing facility located in Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh. This unit, reportedly spanning nearly 1,000 square yards, was allegedly operated by Mohammad Aqdas Siddiqui, who is currently at large. A subsequent raid at this facility resulted in the recovery of approximately 2,000 kg of raw materials essential for drug manufacturing, including Metformin HCL, calcium carbonate, lactose, starch, and magnesium stearate.
Law enforcement also seized advanced machinery at the site, such as tablet compression machines, coating units, capsule filling machines, blister packaging systems, and testing equipment, indicating the significant scale and sophistication of the clandestine operation. Additionally, 10,000 empty bottles bearing false labels of reputable pharmaceutical companies, along with packaging materials and printing sets for branded medicines, were found.
The premises associated with the storage and sale of these illicit drugs lacked valid operating licenses, and the medicines were not sourced from authorized distributors. During interrogation, the arrested individuals detailed a multi-tiered supply chain involving illegal manufacturers, distributors, and GST operators working collaboratively across different states.
Police records indicate that one of the accused, Mayank Aggarwal, has a prior history of involvement in cases registered by the Narcotics Control Bureau and a recent First Information Report in Uttar Pradesh concerning violations related to drugs and cosmetics. The investigation into the matter is ongoing, with authorities seeking to apprehend all individuals involved in the conspiracy.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
