Thousands of unsuspecting patients in Ghaziabad were consuming counterfeit liver medicine until police, in coordination with the SWAT team, seized nearly 50,000 fake Liv-52 tablets, dismantling a sophisticated multi-state racket. The operation revealed a criminal network spanning Haryana and Uttar Pradesh that put public health in serious jeopardy.
A Complaint That May Have Saved Lives
The racket came to light after Himalaya Wellness Company filed a complaint on January 3, reporting fake Liv-52 tablets flooding shops in western Uttar Pradesh. Deputy Commissioner of Police Surendra Nath Tewari said intelligence traced the counterfeit supply to Muradnagar, spreading to Aligarh. Police promptly registered a case and launched a detailed investigation.
Greed Over Safety
Interrogation revealed the operation’s calculated economics. The counterfeit tablets were manufactured in Haryana, while packaging including boxes, wrappers, and lids was sourced from Meerut, with molds crafted to perfectly mimic the original product. Each fake box cost just ₹35–₹40 to make but sold for ₹110–₹115, compared with ₹280 for genuine Liv-52. Retailers were lured by high margins, while consumers unknowingly risked their health.
Authorities found that the gang had been active for about four months, carefully expanding distribution across Aligarh, Mathura, Bijnor, Agra, Meerut, and parts of Ghaziabad. Experts warn that counterfeit liver medicines may contain harmful substances that can worsen medical conditions instead of treating them.
Arrests Reveal a Sophisticated Network
Police arrested five individuals, including the alleged kingpin Mayank Agrawal of Modinagar, who previously worked with pharmaceutical companies and used insider knowledge to replicate authentic packaging. The others are Anoop Garg, Tushar Thakur, Akash Thakur, and Nitin Tyagi.
Raids uncovered around 1,500 empty containers, lids, wrappers, and other materials, highlighting the scale and sophistication of the operation.
Ordinary People, Extraordinary Risk
Families, patients, and elderly consumers buying these tablets were unknowingly gambling with their health. Experts caution that even a short course of counterfeit liver medicine can trigger severe complications. Authorities urge consumers to buy medicines only from authorized pharmacies and carefully check batch numbers, seals, and packaging.
Investigation Continues
Muradnagar police are tracing the full supply and distribution network, including distributors and retailers who may have knowingly or unknowingly sold the fake drugs. They are also investigating links to a recent seizure of prohibited medicines worth ₹55 lakh in Meerut, which may involve the same network.
DCP Tewari emphasized, “Our investigation is ongoing. We are looking into all individuals involved, and further action will be taken.”
This case is a reminder that criminal greed can directly endanger real lives. Every fake box of medicine isn’t just a product, it’s a threat to someone’s life.
