Ghaziabad Police Cracks Down on Counterfeit Drug Manufacturing Ring
In a significant crackdown on pharmaceutical fraud, Ghaziabad police have apprehended five members of a criminal gang accused of producing and distributing counterfeit versions of the popular herbal supplement Himalaya Liv-52. The arrests were made on Sunday following a coordinated raid that uncovered a sophisticated illegal manufacturing operation.
Massive Haul of Fake Medicines and Equipment Seized
During the operation, law enforcement officials confiscated substantial evidence including 50,000 counterfeit tablets, 500 product wrappers, 1,200 caps and containers, along with a WagonR vehicle used in the distribution network. The seizure represents one of the larger counterfeit medicine busts in the region in recent months.
How the Racket Was Uncovered
The investigation began when officials from Himalaya Wellness Company received intelligence about fake versions of their Liv-52 product being sold in Aligarh. Further probing revealed that the counterfeit pills were being dispatched from an address in Muradnagar, Ghaziabad, using courier services. This information prompted the company to file a formal complaint at the Muradnagar police station, leading to the decisive raid.
Profiles of the Accused
The arrested individuals have been identified as:
- Mayank Aggarwal (41) - The alleged mastermind of the operation from Ghaziabad
- Tushar Thakur (25) - A paramedical student from Ghaziabad
- Akash Thakur (28) - Resident of Ghaziabad
- Nitin Tyagi (44) - Resident of Ghaziabad
- Anoop Garg (40) - Resident of Delhi
According to DCP (Rural) Surendra Nath Tiwari, the gang had been actively running this illegal enterprise for approximately four months before their apprehension.
Legal Charges and Ongoing Investigation
An FIR has been registered against the accused under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including:
- Section 318(4) - Cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property
- Section 336(3) - Forgery for the purpose of cheating
- Section 340(2) - Using as genuine a forged document or electronic record
- Section 274 - Adulteration of food
- Section 276 - Adulteration of drugs
Additionally, relevant sections of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act and the Copyright Act have been invoked. Police have formed special teams to apprehend other absconding suspects whose identities emerged during interrogation of the arrested individuals.
Widespread Distribution Network
The counterfeit medicines had reached multiple districts across Uttar Pradesh, including:
- Aligarh
- Mathura
- Bijnor
- Agra
- Meerut
- Shamli
This extensive distribution highlights the scale of the operation and the potential public health risks created by the circulation of unregulated pharmaceutical products.
Profit Motive Behind the Counterfeiting
The accused revealed to investigators that their production costs ranged between ₹35-40 per box of counterfeit medicine. These fake products were then supplied to retailers at approximately ₹110-115 per box, creating a substantial profit margin.
"The genuine Himalaya Liv-52 carries a maximum retail price exceeding ₹200 per box," explained a police officer involved in the case. "This significant price differential allowed the accused to offer retailers higher margins while undercutting the legitimate product, making it easier to infiltrate the market with their counterfeit goods."
Front Company Used for Operations
The illegal operation functioned under the guise of NP Trading, a firm owned by Mukesh Kumar. All invoices and documentation for the counterfeit medicines were generated in this company's name to create a facade of legitimacy for distribution activities.
DCP Tiwari confirmed that investigation teams continue to pursue leads to identify and apprehend all individuals connected to this pharmaceutical fraud network, emphasizing the ongoing threat posed by counterfeit medicines to public health and safety.
