Counterfeit Drug Network Involving Tanishq Jha Busted in Delhi
On September 1, 2025, a counterfeit drug network was dismantled by Delhi Police, leading to the arrest of several individuals, including Tanishq Jha, whose factory in Patna was found to be producing counterfeit medicines.
The police operation began with a trap set to catch a courier delivering Tramadol premix. Anirudh Rai was apprehended while delivering this package, which marked the beginning of uncovering a larger network.
Authorities discovered that the network connected suppliers in Uttarakhand to traders in Delhi and a manufacturer in Bihar. Amit, one of the suspects, allegedly stored 20 kilograms of Tramadol premix in his warehouse located in Roorkee.
Prashant was identified as an intermediary, facilitating connections between suppliers and buyers across North India. The investigation revealed that Tanishq Jha’s factory had been producing counterfeit medicines after its license had expired.
In total, Delhi Police seized counterfeit medicines and psychotropic drugs valued at nearly Rs 50 crore. This operation highlights the extensive nature of the counterfeit drug trade in India.
A senior Crime Branch officer stated, “The goal was to trace the supply chain behind the material,” emphasizing the complexity of the network.
Further insights from a Crime Branch officer noted, “When factories shut down or excess stock remains in the warehouses, middlemen sometimes try to move the material quickly.” This indicates the opportunistic nature of the counterfeit drug trade.
Additionally, an officer close to the investigation remarked, “The profits would then be shared between him and the trader who had sourced the material,” shedding light on the financial motivations driving these operations.
The pharmaceutical belt around Roorkee has many small manufacturers that emerged after Uttarakhand was carved out of Uttar Pradesh, which has contributed to the proliferation of such illegal activities.
As the investigation continues, authorities are working to dismantle the remaining elements of this counterfeit drug network. Details remain unconfirmed regarding the full extent of the operations and additional arrests that may follow.
