Karnataka fake pharma racket: SIT raids 10 locations across six states

The Karnataka Special Investigation Team (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 across India. The raids were conducted at multiple 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.

Raids were conducted at multiple locations in Karnataka, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Mumbai, Chennai and Telangana.

Around 80 to 100 officials and staff members are 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 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.

The case came to light in August 2026 after the Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA) and local police busted a major counterfeit medicine racket near Bidadi in Ramanagara district. Authorities seized counterfeit medicines estimated to be worth around Rs 5 crore and uncovered an alleged unlicenced repackaging facility operating from a farmhouse in Kurubara Karenahalli, near the Bidadi toll gate.

According to the investigation, low-cost, substandard or expired medicines were allegedly sourced from different states. The medicines were reportedly transferred into new vials and repackaged using counterfeit labels bearing the names of expensive and prominent multinational pharmaceutical brands before being sold at substantially higher prices.

The racket assumed greater significance after authorities found that some of the counterfeit medicines were allegedly intended for use in hospital Intensive Care Units (ICUs). The drugs were reportedly supplied to private hospitals and pharmacies at prices nearly 50 per cent lower than the market rates.

Karnataka Health Minister, U.T. Khader, had described the case as a major drug mafia operation and ordered steps to investigate the suspected inter-state network. The formation of the SIT was aimed at identifying the wider network and tracing those involved in sourcing, repackaging, labelling and distribution of the medicines.

The latest raids across six states are expected to help investigators establish the extent of the alleged network and identify other individuals and companies involved in the supply of counterfeit pharmaceuticals.

Officials are also examining the alleged international links and the source of the counterfeit labels as part of the continuing investigation.

(Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by Education Post)