Kolkata raid uncovers ₹20 lakh worth of fake medicines at Bagri Market's Mehta building

The State Drug Control Department raided four major medicine stores in Kolkata’s Mehta Building, uncovering a large-scale counterfeit drug operation. Authorities seized fake medicines worth at least ₹20 lakh, with reports confirming that 30% of counterfeit drugs were being mixed with genuine stock. These included blood pressure, diabetes, antacid, and antibiotic medicines. Officials stated that the fake medicines were being discreetly packaged in authentic-looking boxes, making detection difficult.

Investigators revealed that counterfeiters were blending fake and genuine medicines in a 70:30 ratio—out of ten strips in a box, seven were real, while three were fake. The crackdown extended beyond Mehta Building to Giriya Trade Center, Gandhi Market, and Bagree Market, where drug control officers conducted searches throughout the day. Several brands were found to have been replicated, and authorities suspect the network extends beyond Kolkata. Officials confirmed that four drug manufacturing units were raided on Tuesday as part of an ongoing investigation.

The State Drug Control Department has urged consumers to buy medicines only from authorized stockists and dealers to avoid counterfeit products. An official from the department stated, "We are issuing a public notice to raise awareness about this issue." Further investigations are underway to trace the supply chain of fake medicines and identify those involved in the distribution network.