According to sources, the operation targeted a hallmarked syndicate spanning three districts — Kozhikode, Thrissur and Ernakulam — that used cold-chain logistics to evade detection, disguising fake antibiotics, pain-killers and cardiovascular drugs in sealed boxes. The state drug control department acted following intelligence inputs and recovered cartons bearing counterfeit batch numbers, sub-standard packaging and adulterated pills. Officials say the scheme had been active for nearly six months and could impact thousands of patients if left unchecked.
As part of the raid, surveillance teams intercepted a refrigerated truck near Thrissur’s bypass road that contained boxes labelled as “OTC pain-relief” but on inspection revealed radically different active ingredients, failing standard quality tests. In another instance, a warehouse in Kozhikode district stored alternate-labelled pills with forged manufacturing dates and missing regulatory seals. One arrested individual, a logistic co-ordinator, confessed that monthly revenue from the network exceeded ₹1 crore and that their operation supplied local pharmacies and clinics at 40-50 percent less than market rate to undercut legitimate competition.
Investigators confirmed that the spurious products had circumvented the official supply chain by using bogus invoices, fake transporter IDs and ghost firms registered just days before the first shipment. The state drug controller emphasised that such fake drugs pose grave risks including treatment failure, antimicrobial resistance and potential toxic reactions. Actions now in motion include batch-wise recall of suspect products, strengthening cold-chain tracking, and setting up a 24 x 7 hotline for pharmacists and patients to report suspect drugs.
The Hindu reports that the operation is considered one of the largest fake-drug busts in Kerala’s history and underscores the urgency for tighter regulation of pharmaceutical logistics. The state government has promised a full enquiry and will review licences of all transporters and warehouses involved.
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