PATNA / NEW DELHI: In a major crackdown on organized pharmaceutical crime and illicit drug trafficking, the Central Bureau of Narcotics (CBN), Madhya Pradesh Unit (Neemuch), has dismantled a massive inter-state counterfeit drug network operating across Bihar under Operation Vajra.
The multi-phase operation resulted in the seizure of eight illegal godowns, the destruction of an illicit manufacturing facility near Patna, the arrest of the key mastermind, and the recovery of lakhs of counterfeit medicines and habit-forming narcotic substances.
Key Highlights of Operation Vajra
Mastermind Apprehended: The primary accused, who had been absconding, was tracked down following discreet surveillance and arrested on July 22, 2026, in the Khanjahanpur area of Gaya.
Manufacturing Unit Busted: An active clandestine factory equipped with industrial machinery, chemical precursors, and artificial flavorings was dismantled at a farmhouse near Masaurhi, Patna.
8 Godowns Sealed: Eight unauthorized storage facilities were raided across Gaya and Patna, housing vast caches of both NDPS-regulated narcotics and counterfeit essential medicines.
Massive Seizures: Recoveries include over 1.2 lakh narcotic tablets/syrups, over 21,000 Buprenorphine ampoules, and more than 4.4 lakh counterfeit non-NDPS pharmaceutical doses.
Detailed Breakdown of Seizures
The operation uncovered two distinct categories of illicit contraband: habit-forming narcotic drugs regulated under the NDPS Act and counterfeit versions of widely used civilian prescription medicines.
1. Narcotic & Psychotropic Substances (NDPS)
Following intelligence gathered from a 2025 case investigation, CBN officers initially raided four illegal storage premises in Gaya, securing:
Tramadol Tablets: 68,200
Codeine Syrup Bottles: 52,542
Other Narcotic Tablets: 59,000
Subsequent disclosures made by the arrested mastermind led officers to two additional illegal godowns in Gaya, yielding:
Buprenorphine Injections: 21,373 unauthorized ampoules
2. Counterfeit Civilian Pharmaceuticals (Non-NDPS)
During raids on six additional unauthorized godowns identified in coordination with local police, officers discovered widespread production and fake labeling of common prescription drugs. The seized non-NDPS stock was handed over to the State Drug Administration of Bihar, comprising:
Category Quantity Seized
Tablets & Capsules 439,774 units
Injections, Vials & Ampoules 1,895 units
Syrups & Bottles 3,811 units
Lotions, Tubes, Drops & Misc. 3,490 units
Notable counterfeit brands identified include fake formulations of Clavam-625, PAN-40, Betadine Ointment, and Azithral.
Clandestine Manufacturing Lab Uncovered in Masaurhi
Interrogation of the suspect revealed that an associate previously arrested by the agency had set up an illicit manufacturing facility inside a secluded farmhouse in Masaurhi, near Patna.
Promptly acting on the disclosure, a joint team comprising the CBN, local police, the Bihar State Drug Department, and the Food Department raided the farmhouse. Authorities seized tableting machines, chemical compounding equipment, raw raw chemicals, and artificial flavorings used to manufacture fake Buprenorphine and other narcotics. The entire facility was dismantled on site under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.
Syndicate’s Modus Operandi
Investigators revealed that the syndicate employed deliberate measures to evade law enforcement and obscure their digital and physical footprints:
Anonymous Tenancies: The syndicate rented storage properties exclusively in low-income neighborhoods without signing formal lease agreements.
Cash Transactions: All rental payments and operational expenses were paid strictly in cash to avoid financial trails.
Forged Identities: Members utilized SIM cards and mobile connections obtained using fraudulent identity documents.
Year-to-Date CBN MP Unit Statistics
The Central Bureau of Narcotics reaffirmed its pledge to systematically dismantle organized drug cartels and ensure pharmaceutical supply chain integrity in India.
So far in the current calendar year, the CBN Madhya Pradesh Unit has:
Cases Booked: 90
Illicit Labs Busted: 3
Suspects Arrested: 121
SOURCE : CBN Press Release
