Inter-State network busted from a pharma factory

In a major breakthrough on the illegal manufacturing and supply of spurious/counterfeit drugs, the joint operation conducted by Drug Control Administration (DCA), Telangana, Commissioner’s Task Force, Hyderabad and Malakpet Police, dismantled an inter-State network operating from a pharma factory named Nectar Herbs and Drugs, located in Kotdwar, Uttarakhand.
During the raid, DCA officials found three cartons containing a total of 27,200 tablets of the spurious antibiotic “MPOD-200 Tablets” (Cefpodoxime Proxetil and Lactic Acid Bacillus Tablets), worth Rs 7.34 lakh. These tablets were labeled as manufactured by Meg Lifesciences, Khasara No. 47/5, Palli Gaon, Distt. Sirmour, 173 001,’ which is a fictitious/non-existent company.
A person named Aravapalli Satyanarayana was caught selling the spurious drug stocks to Vangari Naveen near Moosarambagh X Roads.
Upon enquiry, he revealed that he had purchased the spurious medicines from Gandla Ramulu of Meerpet. Officers apprehended Aravapalli Satyanarayana, Vangari Naveen, and Gandia Ramulu.
During interrogation, Gandla Ramulu revealed that the spurious drugs were received from Vishad Kumar of Kotdwar, Uttarakhand. He further disclosed that Vishad Kumar manufactures spurious drugs at his company, Nectar Herbs and Drugs, located at Kotdwar, Uttarakhand, along with a person named Sachin Kumar. Ramulu admitted to placing orders for spurious drugs to Sachin Kumar and Vishad Kumar through WhatsApp calls.
The officers kept vigil on the manufacturing facility of Nectar Herbs and Drugs located at Plot No. B-19, IIE, SIDCUL, Sigaddi, Kotdwar, Pauri Garhwal District, Uttarakhand. A surprise raid was conducted on February 29, during which the manufacturing of counterfeit/spurious Cefixime Tablets IP 200 mg, falsely claimed as ‘Omnicef-O 200 Tablets,’ was detected. The drug was falsely labeled as manufactured by Aristo Pharmaceuticals Pvt. Ltd., bearing Batch No. Batch No. BPF232040, Mfg. Date: June-2023, Exp. Dt. May-2025.
The manufacturing of spurious drugs was being carried out by Sachin Kumar of Roorkee, Uttarakhand. He brought fake labels (pre-printed aluminium foils and other packing materials) of reputed companies to Nectar Herbs and Drugs in Kotdwar, Uttarakhand, in his vehicle along with three workers.
Sachin Kumar and Vishad Kumar, who are the prime accused in the spurious drug manufacturing case, were apprehended by the special team.