Illegal manufacturing; repackaging of expired medicines: Bihar’s spurious drugs racket exposed

Delhi Police have uncovered a factory manufacturing and repackaging spurious medicines and psychotropic substances near Patna, an official said on Monday.

The action followed an FIR registered under the NDPS Act at the Crime Branch police station. The breakthrough comes days after two similar illegal pharmaceutical units were exposed in Bihar.

Raid follows arrests and interrogation

Police said the operation stemmed from information gathered during earlier arrests. During interrogation, an accused identified as Arun allegedly revealed details of an illegal manufacturing network.

A senior police officer said Arun had earlier been found coordinating the unlawful manufacture and distribution of opioids while operating a clandestine medicines unit.

Based on his disclosure, a Crime Branch team, along with the local drug department, traced another suspect, Brijesh. He was allegedly running an illegal manufacturing and repackaging unit near Patna.

Unit lacked licence and technical staff

The team raided the premises.

"It was found to be operating without a valid manufacturing licence and in the absence of mandatory technical staff, including manufacturing and analytical chemists. Legal proceedings have been initiated as per due process," the officer said.

Officers seized a large quantity of spurious tablets, syrups, machinery and packaging materials from the site.

Expired medicines suspected to be repackaged

Investigators suspect expired medicines were being repackaged and routed into the market through bogus medical fronts at inflated prices.

Police said the operation forms part of a wider crackdown.

"With this operation, the team has so far arrested nine persons in the broader case and recovered over 13 kg of Tramadol powder and more than 500 grams of Alprazolam, among other psychotropic substances," the officer said, adding efforts are underway to track down other members.

The investigation remains ongoing.