A shocking racket endangering the lives of infants has been uncovered in Surat, where veterinary-grade nutritional feed was being packaged and sold over the counter as pediatric medicine. The illicit operation was dismantled during a coordinated raid conducted by the Special Operations Group (SOG) Crime Branch and the local Food and Drugs Department at a pharmacy located in the Athwa area of the city.
Surprise Inspection Follows Confidential Intelligence
Under directives issued by Surat Police Commissioner Wabang Jamir and supervision from SOG DCP Rajdeepsingh Nakum, law enforcement teams had been monitoring pharmaceutical outlets across the city for dangerous malpractice. During this surveillance drive, investigators received a confidential tip-off indicating that an establishment in Athwa was procuring bulk animal treatment liquid, decanting it into miniature containers, and dispensing it as pediatric drops using bogus commercial branding. Acting immediately on the input, a joint inspection team led by SOG Police Inspector A.S. Sonara and Police Sub-Inspector R.S. Bhatia descended upon 'Shree Shantinath Medical Store' situated at Badekha Chakla.
Bulk Veterinary Containers Used for Counterfeit Refilling
During the search operation, authorities detained the operator of the chemist shop, identified as Mohammad Sajid Ibrahim Mulla. A search of the retail premises laid bare the mechanism of the fraud: the operator was draining bulk 5-liter cans of 'Himalaya Liv.52 Protec Liquid Animal Feed Supplement' and repacking the veterinary formulation into smaller plastic phials. These repurposed containers were then fitted with fraudulent labels printed to mimic legitimate 'Liv.52 Drops 60 ML' packaging before being dispensed to unsuspecting parents.
Inventory Confiscated from the Retail Premises
Officers from the drug regulatory authority and the police seized several incriminating articles directly from the counter and storage areas
- One sealed bottle containing 60 ml of liquid bearing fraudulent Liv.52 Drops labeling
- A 5-liter commercial container of Himalaya Liv.52 Protec animal feed supplement
- A stock of unused 60 ml and 100 ml empty plastic phials, container caps, and stoppers
Legal Proceedings Initiated Under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita
Detailing the enforcement action, DCP Rajdeepsingh Nakum stated,
"Police have registered a case against the accused under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, and initiated legal action."Nakum added that subsequent investigation into the supply chain and distribution network is being handled by the Athwa police. The administration has urged consumers to exercise extreme vigilance while purchasing pharmaceuticals, inspect product seals and packaging thoroughly, and refrain from administering remedies without certified medical prescriptions.
