In a joint crackdown, Odisha’s Drugs Control administration and Crime Branch Special Task Force (STF) raided Unit-1 Market in Bhubaneswar on Thursday, seizing duplicate cosmetic products sold under top brand names.
The raid exposed an allegedly black market operation, leaving local traders on edge amid ongoing investigation.
Raids to intensify in the days ahead
According to sources, the raid team has uncovered a thriving illegal trade of counterfeit cosmetic products in Unit-1 Market. The joint operation led to the seizure of a large quantity of duplicate beauty products being sold under the guise of popular brands.
During the raid, officers inspected multiple cosmetics and stationery shops. The confiscated products have been sent for quality verification to determine their safety standards. The fake products, which closely resemble original branded items, were being sold to unsuspecting customers, some of whom have reported skin issues likely caused by these substandard items.
The ‘duplicate products’ were allegedly supplied either directly from unauthorised depots or through unverified local distributors. A departmental inquiry has been launched into the supply chain, including verification of billing documents and product authenticity.
The Drugs Control authorities have urged customers to be more vigilant when purchasing cosmetics. Officials recommend checking product barcodes and using tools like the ‘Next Generation’ mobile app to distinguish between genuine and fake products.
Business owners, who are now under scrutiny, claim that they procure materials from company-authorized distributors with valid billing.
However, the officials warn that traders dealing in unbilled transactions may be the key link in distributing counterfeit items.
Meanwhile, users affected by fake cosmetics have demanded strict action against those people who are responsible for manufacturing and selling spurious products, which can cause serious skin ailments.
Following the marathon raid, fear has gripped traders possibly involved in the black market. With the focus now on tracing the full network, officials hinted that more shops and distributors may come under the scanner in the coming days.
“We are verifying whether the beauty care products being sold are genuine or not, quantity is appropriate or not, and whether they have been procured through a proper channel or not. We are carrying out the raid to ensure these aspects,” Drugs Inspector Chandan Giri said.
