Kanpur: A major counterfeit drug operation was exposed in a joint raid on Tuesday, revealing an illicit network producing and distributing fake medicines across several states, including Punjab, Gujarat, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, and Bihar. The raid, triggered by the seizure of a similar consignment in Ludhiana, Punjab, targeted Shri Laxmi Pharma Medical and Surgical on Birhana Road’s Neel Wali Gali, where operations were run from a residential setup without any license, laboratory, or qualified personnel.
The operation began around 11 a.m. and extended late into the night, involving the Kanpur Drug Department, inspectors Rekha Sachan and O.P. Pal, and the Punjab Police’s Ludhiana Narcotics Task Force. Authorities raided both the ground-floor shop and the third-floor residence, uncovering a sophisticated setup for manufacturing and packaging fake drugs hidden in wardrobes, beds, bags, and sacks.
Seized items included:
- Counterfeit medicines valued at ₹5 lakh, comprising antibiotics, DSR drugs for infections, injections, and syrups—some mimicking batches from Gujarat-based companies and allegedly used for narcotic purposes.
- ₹28.85 lakh in cash, along with a note-counting machine.
- Packaging equipment, such as drug wrappers, a batch number printing machine, a laser applicator, and raw materials for production.
The firm’s director, Rahul Agarwal (also referred to as Rahul Gupta in some reports), fled the scene under the pretext of showing the team around the house. His wife, Payal Agarwal, was detained for questioning until late night, where she provided details on the supply chain but claimed limited knowledge of operations. No purchase or sale records were found, and the shop appeared suspiciously clean.
Drug Inspector Rekha Sachan highlighted the scale of the racket, noting that fake drugs were being produced and repackaged in the small home without scientific oversight, with expiry dates altered and labels affixed to branded boxes. “This is a big case of counterfeit drug trade in the city; we’ll now launch intelligence-based drives,” she added. Inspector O.P. Pal echoed concerns over the lack of licenses and the potential health risks from these substandard products.
ACP Collector Ganj Ashutosh Singh confirmed that an FIR would be filed based on the drug inspectors’ complaint, with the shop sealed and five drug samples sent to a Varanasi laboratory for testing. The investigation points to rural and inter-state distribution, building on prior intelligence from Punjab where Gujarat-branded fakes were intercepted.
Authorities suspect the operation sourced bulk drugs from unknown suppliers, repackaged them for resale, and targeted vulnerable markets. The Drug Department vows intensified crackdowns to curb such threats to public health.
