Counterfeit Drug Network Busted
A counterfeit drug network was busted across five states in India on September 1, 2025, with significant developments in Lajpat Nagar, Delhi. The police laid a trap to catch a courier delivering a package containing Tramadol premix, leading to the arrest of Anirudh Rai.
The operation revealed a complex supply chain linking suppliers in Uttarakhand to traders in Delhi and a manufacturer in Bihar. Among those implicated was Tanishq Jha, whose factory in Patna was reportedly producing counterfeit medicines after its license had expired.
Police seized counterfeit medicines and psychotropic drugs valued at nearly Rs 50 crore during the operation. This included 20 kilograms of Tramadol premix stored in a warehouse in Roorkee by Amit, who is also under investigation.
Prashant, another key figure, acted as an intermediary connecting suppliers to buyers across North India. The police’s swift action has raised concerns about the scale of counterfeit drug production in the region.
A senior Crime Branch officer stated, “The goal was to trace the supply chain behind the material.” This investigation highlights the intricate web of suppliers, brokers, and manufacturers involved in the counterfeit drug trade.
Further insights from a Crime Branch officer noted, “When factories shut down or excess stock remains in the warehouses, middlemen sometimes try to move the material quickly.” This practice underscores the urgency with which these illegal operations are conducted.
Details about the profits shared between intermediaries and traders have also emerged, with an officer close to the investigation explaining, “The profits would then be shared between him and the trader who had sourced the material.” This indicates a well-organized network operating across multiple states.
The pharmaceutical belt around Roorkee has many small manufacturers that emerged after Uttarakhand was carved out of Uttar Pradesh, contributing to the prevalence of such illegal activities.
As the investigation continues, authorities are expected to delve deeper into the operations of Tanishq Jha and others involved, aiming to dismantle the entire network.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding the full extent of the network and any additional arrests that may follow.
