Former IFS Officer Arrested in Spurious Medicines Racket in Puducherry

The arrest followed a detailed investigation into the illegal production and distribution of fake pharmaceutical products. Officials said the accused played a crucial role in running unauthorised manufacturing units where counterfeit medicines were produced in violation of provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act.

Police officials revealed that the spurious drugs were deliberately packaged and labelled to resemble well-known branded medicines with the intention of misleading distributors, retailers, and consumers. These counterfeit products were allegedly pushed into the market through established supply channels, posing serious risks to public health.

During coordinated raids at multiple locations, authorities seized large quantities of fake medicines along with packaging materials, labels, and equipment used in the illegal manufacturing process. The investigation was initiated after complaints were received regarding the circulation of counterfeit drugs bearing the names of reputed pharmaceutical brands.

According to a recent media report by The Hindu, the former IFS officer was actively involved in coordinating the illegal operations and managing the distribution network despite having held a senior government position. The report also highlighted that further investigations are underway to identify other individuals linked to the racket and to trace the full supply chain of the counterfeit medicines.

Health authorities have reiterated that the manufacture and sale of spurious drugs is a serious offence that endangers patient safety and undermines confidence in the healthcare system. They warned that strict legal action will be taken against all those found involved as enforcement agencies continue their crackdown on fake drug networks in Puducherry.