Bengaluru, September 11, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Karnataka Special Investigation Team (SIT), probing an alleged counterfeit pharmaceutical racket uncovered near Bidadi in Ramanagara district, conducted searches at 10 locations across six states on Friday.
The raids were carried out jointly by the SIT and the Drugs Control Department at multiple locations in Karnataka, Haryana, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Himachal Pradesh and Telangana. Around 80 to 100 officials and staff members participated in the operation, targeting offices, properties and other premises allegedly linked to companies involved in the manufacture, repackaging and supply of counterfeit medicines.
In Bengaluru, investigators searched the premises of a pharmaceutical company near Minerva Circle, close to Lalbagh. Searches were also conducted at locations in Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Mumbai, Chennai and Telangana.
Officials are examining medicines allegedly sourced from different states and subsequently repackaged or supplied through the suspected network. Investigators are also probing alleged international links, including claims that counterfeit labels were sourced from overseas locations.
The raids are part of the continuing investigation into a racket exposed in August after the Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA) and local police uncovered a major counterfeit medicine operation near Bidadi. Authorities seized medicines estimated to be worth around Rs 5 crore and found an alleged unlicensed repackaging facility operating from a farmhouse in Kurubara Karenahalli, near the Bidadi toll gate.
According to investigators, low-cost, substandard or expired medicines were allegedly procured from different states, transferred into new vials and repackaged with counterfeit labels carrying the names of expensive multinational pharmaceutical brands. The products were then allegedly sold at substantially higher prices.
The case assumed greater significance after authorities found that some of the suspected counterfeit medicines were allegedly intended for use in hospital intensive care units (ICUs). The medicines were reportedly supplied to private hospitals and pharmacies at prices nearly 50 per cent below prevailing market rates.
Karnataka Health Minister U.T. Khader had described the case as a major drug mafia operation and directed authorities to investigate its suspected interstate links. The SIT was subsequently tasked with tracing those involved in sourcing, repackaging, labelling and distributing the medicines.
The latest searches are expected to help investigators establish the extent of the alleged network, identify other individuals and companies involved and trace the sources of the medicines and counterfeit labels.
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