New Delhi, October 26, 2025: The Delhi Police Crime Branch has uncovered a fake antacid manufacturing unit operating out of north Delhi’s Ibrahimpur area and arrested two individuals in connection with the racket, officials said on Sunday.
The accused involved were Sandeep Jain (45) and Jitender alias Chotu (23), both were the residents of Ibrahimpur, had allegedly established a counterfeit production unit on a rented premises, replicating the packaging, labeling, and appearance of a popular over-the-counter antacid brand.
Counterfeiting is the act of illegally producing, distributing, or selling goods, currency, or documents that imitate or replicate genuine ones with the intent to deceive.
The operation came to light after a complaint was filed by the authorized manufacturer, prompting the Crime Branch to launch a raid. During the search, officials seized approximately 91,000 counterfeit antacid sachets, 80 kg of raw material, 13–14 kg of company-branded rolls, 54,780 stickers, 2,100 unfilled packets, and a packaging machine from the site.
A senior police officer said the imitation was so precise that it could easily deceive both distributors and consumers. The products were nearly indistinguishable from the original and were ready to be circulated in the retail market.
Police officials noted that counterfeit drugs are not just a threat to brand integrity but to public health, as their composition and safety cannot be verified. Fake medicines often contain incorrect ingredients or dosages, leading to treatment failure, toxic reactions, or long-term complications.
The Delhi bust highlights a troubling trend, counterfeiting is no longer limited to luxury or high-value goods, but has spread to everyday consumer and healthcare products.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), one in ten medical products in low- and middle-income countries is substandard or falsified, costing the global economy an estimated US $30.5 billion annually. Such falsified products may contain wrong or insufficient active ingredients, lack sterility, or be contaminated, putting millions of lives at risk.
The WHO also warns that substandard or fake medicines contribute to antimicrobial resistance, treatment failure, and a loss of confidence in healthcare systems.
The Delhi Police have registered a case under relevant sections and further investigation is underway to trace the supply network and other possible links. Officials said they are also coordinating with regulatory agencies to ensure similar illegal setups are identified and dismantled.
(Rh/VK/MSM)
