Interstate Fake Drug Syndicate Busted in Ahmedabad with Three Arrests

The Ahmedabad city crime branch and the Food and Drugs Control Administration (FDCA) have busted an interstate syndicate involved in the manufacture and distribution of counterfeit blood pressure medicine. Three persons have been arrested in connection with the case, officials announced on Thursday.

The investigation began after a pharmaceutical company based in Ankleshwar, which manufactures the blood pressure drug NICARDIA RETARD 10 (Nifedipine Sustained Release Tablets IP 10 mg), lodged a complaint. The company wrote to the FDCA commissioner stating that counterfeit versions of their tablets were actively being sold in the market.

Following the complaint, separate teams comprising members of the crime branch and the FDCA were formed to investigate the matter. The joint operation led to the arrest of three individuals from Ahmedabad and Lucknow who were allegedly involved in procuring and distributing the fake medication, according to an official release.

During the course of the investigation, officials traced the distribution trail of the counterfeit drugs to various medical stores located in Ahmedabad and other regions across Gujarat. The probe revealed that the illegal stock was allegedly supplied through Parshva Medical Agency, situated in the Paldi area of Ahmedabad. Investigators found that Parshva Medical Agency had reportedly received the medicine from Sena Medical, based in Lucknow. Further inquiries also uncovered operational links pointing toward Jaipur in Rajasthan.

Law enforcement and regulatory authorities recovered thirty strips of counterfeit NICARDIA RETARD 10 tablets from Kishan Medical Store in Nadiad, Gujarat. Additionally, fake tablets were recovered from Navkar Medical Agency and Mahadev Medical Agency, both located in Bhuj. The stock recovered from the Kutch region had allegedly been supplied through AVR Medicose in Jaipur.

The three arrested suspects have been identified as Dashil Sanghvi (39), a resident of Ahmedabad, along with Devendra Yadav (39) and Umang Rastogi (34), both residents of Lucknow. A formal case has been registered at the Detection of Crime Branch Police Station in Ahmedabad. Officials have stated that further arrests are likely as the investigation continues.

"This case highlights the critical need for robust supply chain integrity and stringent quality control in the pharmaceutical sector. Counterfeit medications pose a severe risk to consumer safety and business reputation alike. Companies must leverage advanced tracking technologies and work closely with regulatory bodies like the FDCA to secure their distribution networks and protect consumers from fraudulent products." — Dr. Shishir Gupta, Founder & CEO, StartupLanes