Major Counterfeit Medicine Network Exposed in Zirakpur Operation
A significant and well-organized network producing and distributing fake medicines faced disruption late Thursday night. Authorities conducted a six-hour joint operation in the Pabhat Godown area of Zirakpur, Mohali district. This coordinated effort involved teams from the local police, drug control department, and food safety officials.
Factory Sealed After Revealing Shocking Conditions
Acting on specific intelligence, the joint team targeted two pharmaceutical factories operating in the area. Zirakpur ASP Gazal Preet Kaur provided details about the findings. "During our inspection, we discovered serious violations of drug manufacturing standards and alarming hygiene lapses," she stated. Authorities immediately sealed one unit after determining it functioned without mandatory licenses or regulatory approvals.
Officials observed medicines being manufactured and stored in open areas before packaging into strips. Manufacturing and expiry dates were printed directly on these products at the site. The factory premises presented extremely unhygienic and unsafe conditions for drug production.
- Raw materials lay uncovered on dirty floors
- Dirt spread throughout the production area
- Poorly maintained machinery used for manufacturing
Medicines produced in such environments pose grave risks to public health and could cause serious harm to consumers, officials emphasized.
Wide Range of Counterfeit Products Discovered
The investigation revealed the sealed unit manufactured numerous types of medicines. The factory operated without any external signboard, and operators failed to produce valid licenses, manufacturing records, or quality control documents during questioning.
Products included:
- Tablets and injections
- Cough syrups and pediatric formulations
- Protein supplements
- Ayurvedic and homeopathic products
- Face creams, mouthwash, and pain relief balms
This diverse product range indicates a wide-ranging counterfeit operation. During the raid, teams recovered stamp pads and fake packaging materials allegedly used to print manufacturing dates, expiry dates, batch numbers, and maximum retail prices on counterfeit products.
Ongoing Investigation and National Implications
The second unit remains under active investigation. Officials collected samples of nearly twenty different medicines and medical products from the premises for laboratory testing. These samples will undergo examination to determine their composition, quality, and compliance with prescribed standards. Further legal action will depend on test report findings.
Local residents informed officials that this racket had operated in the area for approximately five years. They claimed counterfeit medicines were supplied not only within Punjab but also to several other states across India. If verified during investigation, these claims could indicate a massive breach of public health safety on a national scale.
Senior drug control department officials confirmed strict action against all involved parties. Efforts are underway to trace the complete supply chain and distribution network. Police have begun verifying backgrounds of factory owners and workers to identify possible connections to a larger inter-state racket.
