Counterfeit medicines, raw materials worth over Rs 2.3 crore seized including tubes of spurious Betnovate-C ointment
The accused were producing and selling counterfeit versions of popular prescription ointments such as Betnovate-C and Clop-G, which are commonly used to treat skin infections, allergies and sports-related injuries, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime Branch) Aditya Gautam told PTI.
The officer further said the spurious medicines were sold as genuine branded products, posing a serious risk to public health.
The crackdown led to the arrest of two accused—Gaurav Bhagat of Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, and Shree Ram alias Vishal Gupta from Sabhapur in northeast Delhi.
During the raid, a large quantity of counterfeit Schedule-H ointments was recovered. Subsequent technical analysis and follow-up intelligence led the team to a manufacturing unit operating from Meerpur Hindu village in the Loni area of Ghaziabad.
"A search of the premises resulted in the recovery of counterfeit medicines, huge quantities of raw chemicals, packing material, empty tubes bearing forged brand labels and machinery used for mixing, filling and sealing ointments," the DCP said.
He further said drug inspectors from the North and Central Zones of Delhi and Uttar Pradesh, along with authorised representatives of the concerned pharmaceutical companies, conducted spot inspections and drew samples from the seized stock. They confirmed that the medicines were counterfeit and neither manufactured nor supplied by their companies.
The accused were also found to be operating without any valid licence to manufacture, store or sell pharmaceutical products, he added.
The police said that an FIR was registered at the Crime Branch police station on December 12 under various sections of the BNS and provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act.
"The seized material included around 1,200 tubes of spurious Betnovate-C ointment, over 2,700 tubes of fake Clop-G, more than 3,700 tubes of spurious Skin-Shine ointment, nearly 22,000 empty fake Clop-G tubes, over 350 kilograms of semi-prepared ointment, besides chemicals and manufacturing equipment," the DCP said.
He said further investigation is underway to trace the entire supply chain, including wholesalers, distributors, delivery handlers and retailers involved in the illegal trade.
