Spurious drug racket busted in Balanagar: Rs 6.91 lakhs worth antibiotics, narcotics seized

Hyderabad: In a joint operation, the Drugs Control Administration (DCA), Telangana, and the Special Task Force (STF) of the Prohibition and Excise Department uncovered a spurious drug racket operating in Hyderabad. The operation resulted in the seizure of spurious antibiotic tablets worth Rs 6.91 lakhs and narcotic drugs, including fentanyl transdermal patches.

Raid on courier service in Balanagar

Acting on credible intelligence, officials conducted a raid at Shree Tirupati Courier Services in Balanagar.

Cardboard boxes labelled as shipped from Shree Pharma, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, were found addressed to Shiv Pharma Distributors in IDPL Colony, Hyderabad. The consignment was tracked to Gandla Ramulu, a habitual offender in spurious drug cases, who was apprehended in Karmanghat.

“The accused were operating an organised supply chain, distributing counterfeit antibiotics in Telangana. These spurious drugs pose a significant threat to public health,” said VB Kamalasan Reddy, IPS, director general of DCA, Telangana.

Spurious drugs were intended for Karimnagar and Kurnool

Gandla Ramulu, previously arrested in February 2024 for a similar racket, procured spurious antibiotics from Prayagraj with the help of Munishekhar from Proddutur, Andhra Pradesh. Ramulu intended to supply the drugs to Kumar of Karimnagar and Bhaskar of Kurnool.

Officials seized four varieties of counterfeit antibiotics labelled with fictitious manufacturer and marketer details. The drugs, purportedly produced by ‘Geenac Pharma, Uttarakhand,’ and marketed by Wellnow Healthcare, Mumbai, included:

• Jakclav-625 Tablets (9,600 tablets)

• Jikpod-CV Tablets (400 tablets)

• Jikcef-LB Tablets (10,500 tablets)

• Jikcf AZ Tablets (9,600 tablets)

Additionally, narcotic drugs were seized, including 12 patches of FenSpar (Fentanyl Transdermal Patch 50 mcg/hr) and nine patches of Themifent-P.

A separate case under the NDPS Act was registered at Saroornagar Excise Station. Further investigations are underway to identify all links in the supply chain.

Impact of spurious drugs

“Spurious drugs are a significant public health issue. They fail to cure diseases and may cause long-term complications. We urge the public to report any suspicious activities related to drug manufacturing,” added Dr B Lakshminarayana, drugs inspector, Uppal.

Citizens are encouraged to report illegal activities involving drugs to the Drugs Control Administration’s toll-free number: 1800-599-6969. The helpline operates from 10:30 am to 5 pm on all working days.

Officers involved in the raid

The operation was led by officials including G Prasad, G Anil, B Govind Singh, J Nagaraju, Dr B Lakshminarayana, Ch Nagaraju, and N Srinivas Reddy.

Further legal action is being pursued against the accused and investigations continue.