In a major crackdown on the distribution of counterfeit medicines, the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) apprehended a key distributor, Anurag Kaushal, in Agra. Kaushal was found supplying fake drugs sourced from Himachal Pradesh and Haryana to markets in Agra and Aligarh. This bust unveils a network exploiting the healthcare system under the guise of legitimate pharmaceutical operations.
The Operation
The STF arrested Kaushal on Tuesday night from Sanjay Place in Agra and seized cartons filled with counterfeit medicines. These drugs were traced back to wholesale suppliers in Himachal Pradesh’s Shimla and Haryana’s Karnal, managed by Deepak Amauli and Rohit Sachdeva, respectively.
The case emerged after the Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA) flagged a failed drug sample from Ganeshay Enterprises, a wholesale shop in Agra. The trail led investigators to Kaushal, who had been running a Jan Aushadhi Kendra until his license was revoked in 2023. Post-revocation, he allegedly began trafficking fake medicines, distributing them across Uttar Pradesh under the radar.
Modus Operandi
Kaushal disclosed that he avoided direct transportation of the counterfeit drugs. Instead, he utilized state roadways buses to ship the medicines to Kasganj, paying drivers and conductors up to ₹2,000 for the service. This method allowed him to smuggle large quantities discreetly.
During the raid, STF officials seized 1,050 strips of counterfeit GRO-250 capsules (Amoxicillin 250 mg). The confiscated drugs matched a failed sample taken earlier in October from a wholesale shop in Agra’s Mastaka Baghichi area.
Expanding the Investigation
Kaushal’s confession has implicated other key players in the racket, including Sandeep from Sonipat, Haryana, and Piyush Fapala from Aligarh. The STF is actively investigating these leads to dismantle the broader supply chain.
Previous Incidents Raise Alarm
The arrest follows another operation last week where banned injections were intercepted. Evill and Duphrenorphine injections, often used for substance abuse, were being smuggled from Agra to Haryana. Haryana’s State Anti-Narcotics Control Bureau apprehended several individuals linked to this racket, tying the supply chain back to Agra and Firozabad.
In one instance, Gaurav Gupta, operating from Nagla Rambal, Agra, was arrested with narcotics-laced injections. Gupta reportedly supplied these injections to dealers in Haryana.
Public Concern and Official Action
This series of arrests underscores the alarming extent of counterfeit drug trafficking in the region. These illegal activities not only endanger public health but also undermine trust in the pharmaceutical industry. Officials are urging pharmacists and citizens to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to local authorities.