Ghaziabad police have uncovered a large-scale counterfeit medicine operation after the Himalayan company filed a complaint regarding fake versions of its widely used product, Liv.52, circulating in local markets. The complaint, lodged on January 3, alleged that these counterfeit tablets were being manufactured and distributed to shops across the region. Acting on this information, the police registered a case at Muradnagar police station and began a thorough investigation. DCP Surendra Nath Tewari stated that the company had claimed the fake products originated from Muradnagar and were being distributed as far as Aligarh, prompting a detailed crackdown.
Investigators discovered that the operation had grown rapidly due to unusually high profit margins and easy distribution channels. The counterfeit tablets were reportedly produced in Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, allowing the accused to reduce manufacturing costs while maximizing profits. Police said interrogations revealed how the operation leveraged cheap production, cross-state distribution, and aggressive marketing to penetrate local markets. The accused admitted that the combination of low costs and high demand for the product helped them expand the network quickly, making it difficult for authorities to track the illegal trade initially.
During questioning, the suspects revealed that the counterfeit Liv.52 tablets were manufactured in Haryana, while packaging materials such as boxes and wrappers were sourced from Meerut. Each box of fake medicine reportedly costs between Rs 35 and Rs 40 to produce, yet they were sold to retailers at Rs 110–115 per box. In contrast, the genuine product is priced at Rs 280 per box. Police noted that this price disparity encouraged shopkeepers to stock the fake medicine, as it provided them with higher margins while undercutting the original brand, allowing the operation to flourish undetected for a significant period.
After registering the FIR, Muradnagar police, supported by the SWAT team, initiated a technical probe to identify and apprehend all individuals involved. DCP Tewari said the investigation led to several suspects, who were summoned for questioning and confessed to their role in the racket. During the operation, authorities seized approximately 50,000 counterfeit tablets, highlighting the scale of the illegal activity. The police are continuing to trace the entire supply chain, identify additional accomplices, and take legal action against all responsible parties to dismantle the network completely.
“Our investigation is ongoing, and we are scrutinizing all elements of this counterfeit operation,” DCP Tewari said. “Further action will be taken against all individuals involved once the inquiry is complete. We are leaving no stone unturned to ensure that such illegal activities are stopped and that counterfeit medicines are removed from the market, safeguarding public health and preventing harm to unsuspecting consumers who rely on genuine pharmaceutical products for their well-being.”