A major fake medicine operation was uncovered in Agra after the Drug Department and STF raided two shops and their warehouses, recovering medicines valued at over ₹3.23 crore. During the raid, businessman Himanshu Agarwal, owner of Hey Maa Medical Store, attempted to bribe officials with ₹1 crore in cash to “settle the matter” but was immediately caught and taken into custody. The Income Tax and Vigilance departments have also been informed, and samples of seized medicines have been sent for testing to verify authenticity.

Key highlights

Bribe attempt during raid

• Himanshu Agarwal arrived with three bags containing ₹1 crore in ₹500 notes, offering it to officers to close the case.

• STF officers detained him immediately, and the cash was secured and counted at the police station.

Massive medicine seizure

• Hey Maa Medical Store: medicines worth ₹2.43 crore seized from warehouses in Moti Katra.

• Bansal Medical Store: medicines worth nearly ₹1 crore recovered, including DCM truck diverted from Chennai.

• Total recovered stock: over ₹3.23 crore, including products from Zydus, Glenmark, Sanofi, and Sun Pharma.

Fake medicines under suspicion

• Company representatives indicated that many of the seized medicines may be counterfeit.

• 15 drug samples have been sent for laboratory testing; final authenticity reports are awaited.

Market impact and trader background

• Panic spread across Agra’s drug market after the raids; many shops remained closed.

• Himanshu Agarwal’s company, with an annual turnover of ₹350 crore, supplies medicines nationwide.

• Past allegations include illegal supply of controlled substances and involvement in narcotics-related raids.

Ongoing investigation

• Drug Department and STF are continuing investigations into the operation.

• Income Tax and Vigilance departments have been alerted.

• Focus remains on verifying counterfeit status and identifying any larger network.

The Agra raid and attempted bribe underscore the risks posed by counterfeit medicine operations in India and the lengths to which individuals may go to obstruct enforcement. Vigilant monitoring, combined with cross-agency coordination, is critical to safeguard patient safety, ensure drug authenticity, and maintain trust in the pharmaceutical supply chain.