Bengaluru: The Karnataka Special Investigation Team (SIT), questioning fake pharmaceuticals racket key accused Veeresh Kumar Jain, has found that he allegedly ran the network that supplied counterfeit tablets, syrups, and other medicines to medical shops and private hospitals across the state.
According to the investigation, Jain, who was taken into custody on Sunday following raids on his properties, allegedly directed Prashant and others and managed the operations of the racket. Investigators suspect that the fake medicines supplied by the accused were distributed to more than 80 medical shops and private hospitals.
The counterfeit medicines were also allegedly supplied to several medical shops and hospitals in Bengaluru, raising concerns over the potential risk to patients who may have consumed the spurious drugs.
The SIT is investigating the network to establish the role of Jain and other accused persons involved in the manufacture, supply, and distribution of the fake medicines.
Investigators have estimated that the racket had an annual turnover of more than Rs 15 crore. The SIT is now questioning him to obtain details about the financial transactions and the wider network involved in the illegal trade.
Police are also attempting to identify more people who may have been involved in the racket based on the information provided by Jain during the investigation.
The SIT is expected to investigate the source of the counterfeit medicines, their distribution network, and the medical shops and hospitals that allegedly received the supplies.
The SIT, probing the fake pharmaceuticals racket that was recently unearthed in Dodderi on the outskirts of Bengaluru in Ramanagara district, conducted raids at 10 locations in Karnataka, Haryana, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Himachal Pradesh and Telangana on Friday.
The operation was carried out jointly by the SIT and the Drugs Control Department as part of the ongoing investigation into the alleged counterfeit medicine network.
Around 80 to 100 officials and staff members were involved in the searches, which targeted offices, properties and other premises linked to companies allegedly involved in manufacturing, repackaging and supplying counterfeit medicines.
In Bengaluru, searches were conducted at the premises of a pharmaceutical company at Minerva Circle near Lalbagh as part of the probe.
Officials are examining medicines allegedly sourced from different locations and subsequently repackaged or supplied through the network. The investigation has reportedly revealed an international connection, with counterfeit labels allegedly being sourced from foreign locations.
The raids were conducted in continuation of the investigation into the racket that came to light around two weeks ago. Investigators are examining the supply chain, sources of the medicines, manufacturing and repackaging facilities, as well as the distribution network.
(IANS)
