Major action against fake medicines in UP. Illegal factory busted in Dehradun after investigation started from Lucknow. FSDA seized fake medicines and machinery worth crores. Interstate network exposed based on digital evidence, 2 accused arrested.
Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [भारत]July 24 (ANI): As part of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s strict policy against trade in fake medicines, the ongoing campaign in Uttar Pradesh has achieved another major success. The investigation, which started with a sample of fake ‘Flogen’ drug found in Aminabad, Lucknow, finally led to the busting of an illegal drug factory running in Dehradun.
The Food Safety and Drugs Administration (FSDA) of Uttar Pradesh exposed the entire interstate network on the basis of digital evidence and mobile chats. According to the release, in a joint operation with Ghaziabad Crime Branch, FSDA raided an illegal counterfeit medicine factory operating in Dehradun and recovered counterfeit medicines, packaging material and modern machinery worth approximately Rs 1 crore.
Two accused were arrested during the joint operation, while the search for other gang members is on. On July 19, 2026, during investigation of a case related to storage and sale of fake medicines registered at Aminabad Police Station, Lucknow, 43 types of fake medicines were recovered.
Open network with digital evidence and mobile chat
Based on the documents and digital evidence found during the initial investigation, FSDA Headquarters formed a special enforcement team. By analyzing mobile data, WhatsApp chats, packaging patterns and supply chains, the team began to connect the dots across the network. During investigation, it came to light that the main supplier of the gang, Rajendra Singh alias Arun Tunda, is present in Ghaziabad.
Subsequently, the special team of FSDA with the help of Ghaziabad Crime Branch arrested him on July 22 near KW Mall in Raj Nagar Extension.
A tablet reached the factory
Food Safety and Drug Administration Commissioner Dr. Roshan Jacob said that the sample of tablet ‘Flogen AA’ recovered during the Aminabad operation was found to be spurious. Meanwhile, digital examination of the mobile phone of arrested accused Rajendra Singh alias Arun Tunda found photographs of fake strips of ‘Flogen’ brand, documents related to packaging and WhatsApp chats related to the machinery. This digital evidence clearly established that the counterfeit medicine recovered in Lucknow and the illegal factory operating in Dehradun were part of the same interstate network.
Acting on this clue, the investigation moved ahead, leading to a raid on the factory in Dehradun and the entire syndicate was exposed. Many shocking facts came to light in the digital forensic investigation of the mobile phone of the arrested accused. The WhatsApp chat contained photographs related to counterfeit strips, packaging materials, spare parts of machines and manufacturing of famous pharmaceutical brands. The investigation also revealed that deliberate changes were made to the packaging, making it difficult for an ordinary consumer to identify the products as counterfeit. On the basis of this evidence, an illegal factory was detected in Dehradun.
Raid in Dehradun factory
Acting on the trail of the accused, a joint team of officers of FSDA Uttar Pradesh, Crime Branch Ghaziabad and FSDA Uttarakhand raided the premises located at Devipur New Highway Road, East Hope Town, Dehradun. From one room, officials recovered a modern alu-alu packing machine, strip machine, inkjet belt printer, compressor, high-voltage stabilizer, large quantities of semi-finished tablets and capsules, printed aluminum foils, wrappers and master cartons.
It became clear from the evidence found on the spot that fake medicines were being manufactured there without any valid license and preparations were being made to send them to the market by packing them in the packaging of reputed companies. During the raid, counterfeit packaging material of many well-known pharmaceutical brands was recovered. Apart from this, master cartons and aluminum foils printed with the names of some major companies were also found. Officials believe that these medicines were being supplied to the markets of various states by passing them off as genuine products, the release said.
Case of organized crime registered, two arrested
Gaurav Tyagi, Rajendra Singh alias Arun Tunda, Vipin Bhatnagar and Vinay Chand have been made accused in this case. Rajendra Singh alias Arun Tunda and Vinay Chand have been arrested. A case has been registered against the accused under various provisions of the Indian Code of Justice (BNS), 2023, including section 111 related to organized crime.
The search for the remaining accused is going on and the investigating agencies are also investigating the entire financial network and supply chain. Food Safety and Drug Administration Commissioner Dr Roshan Jacob said, “Under the directions of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, a sustained drive against fake medicines is being carried out across the state under the ‘zero tolerance’ policy. No gang endangering public health will be spared. The department will not be limited to just seizing fake medicines, but will continue to take action to dismantle the entire network from manufacturing to supply and sale.” (ANI)
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