Hyderabad police bust fake FMCG racket; 3 held with duplicate tea, Surf and Good Night refills
A large quantity of counterfeit tea powder, detergent packets and mosquito repellent refills was seized during the operation conducted on March 2.
By Newsmeter Network
Hyderabad: Three persons were arrested for allegedly manufacturing and selling duplicate branded household products in the city.
The Special Crime Team of the Central Crime Station (CCS), Hyderabad City, along with Goshamahal and Afzalgunj police, apprehended the accused and seized the counterfeit products.
A large quantity of counterfeit tea powder, detergent packets and mosquito repellent refills was seized during the operation conducted on March 2.
Goshamahal, Afzalgunj and Begum Bazaar shops targeted
The accused were reportedly supplying the fake products to retail and wholesale shops in areas such as Goshamahal, Afzalgunj and Begumbazar, passing them off as reputed brands at discounted prices.
The arrested persons have been identified as:
- Jaya Ram (30), a businessman from Begumbazar, originally from Ajmer district, Rajasthan
- Kachhawa Surendera (34), residing in Dullapally, originally from Nagaur district, Rajasthan
- Hanuman Ram (21), from Barmer district, Rajasthan
Police said the trio was involved in procuring duplicate packaging material and low-quality raw products from suppliers in Gujarat and repackaging them as popular brands for sale in Hyderabad markets.
Massive seizure of duplicate goods
During the raid, police recovered:
- 1,340 packets of duplicate Red Label tea powder (various sizes)
- 100 packets of duplicate Taj Mahal tea powder
- 950 packets of duplicate Tide detergent
- 100 packets of duplicate Ariel detergent
- 300 packets of duplicate Wheel detergent
- 550 packets of duplicate Surf Excel detergent
- 3,600 duplicate Good Night mosquito repellent refills (45 ml bottles)
- 9,500 duplicate packing covers (including Red Label and Gemini Tea branding)
- 75 kg of raw tea powder
Officials said the accused purchased counterfeit packing covers and low-grade materials at heavy discounts and supplied the finished products to local traders by falsely representing them as genuine branded items.
Fake products are sold cheaply to attract buyers
According to police, the accused targeted busy wholesale hubs such as Goshamahal, Afzalgunj and Begum Bazaar, offering the spurious products at significantly lower prices to attract shopkeepers.
The counterfeit goods were packaged to closely resemble original brands, making it difficult for unsuspecting customers to identify them.
Police action and advisory
The accused have been handed over to Goshamahal and Afzalgunj police stations for further investigation and legal action.
Police have advised consumers to verify the authenticity of household products by checking QR codes and examining packaging carefully before purchase to avoid falling victim to counterfeit goods.
