Uttar Pradesh: Fake Covid-19 vaccines, testing kits worth Rs 4 crore seized, 5 arrested
According to a STF spokesman, the police recovered the vials of fake Covishield and Zycov-D along with testing kits packed in several cartons
Varanasi: In a major crackdown , the Uttar Pradesh officials have busted a racket of counterfeit COVID-19 vaccines including Covisheild and Zycov-D vaccine as well as fake COVID test kits. The police has arrested all the accused from Varanasi and seized fake vaccines and kits worth Rs 4 crore.
The Varanasi unit of the Special Task Force (STF) of Uttar Pradesh Police has unearthed a manufacturing unit of fake Covid-19 vaccine and testing kits in Rohit Nagar of Lanka area.
Acting on a tip off, the police raided the place and recovered a huge quantity of fake vaccines and testing kits on Wednesday.
The police have arrested five members of the inter-state gang.
The accused have been identified as Rakesh Thavani, Sandeep Sharma, Lakshya Java, Shamsher and Arunesh Vishwakarma. During the operation, STF has recovered a fake testing kit, fake covishield vaccine, fake Zycov D vaccine, packing machine, empty vials, swab sticks, etc.
According to a STF spokesman, the police recovered the vials of fake Covishield and Zycov-D along with testing kits packed in several cartons.
They also recovered packing machines, empty vials and swab sticks in large numbers.
During interrogation, Rakesh confessed that he and his aides were involved in manufacturing fake vaccine and testing kits.
These goods were supplied to Lakshya, who further used to supply the consignments to different states through his network.
The accused Lakshya Java used to supply these fake products to various states. The police are now busy finding out the network of this gang. They are trying to figure out the states they supplied these fake vaccines and kits too
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