An interstate racket thriving on manufacturing and sale of counterfeit drugs to Odisha has been busted with the seizure of fake drugs worth Rs 7.35 crore from Uttar Pradesh, a senior official of the state’s Health and Family Welfare Department said on Thursday.

It may be recalled here that the Special Task Force (STF) constituted by the Health and Family Welfare Department of Odisha Government had earlier sought the assistance of its counterparts in Uttar Pradesh to uncover the interstate racket, which was having its supply chain to Odisha.

“Based on drugs seized in Bargarh and Jharsuguda districts and inputs provided by the Health Department of Odisha to Uttar Pradesh Government, the UP counterparts raided a house under Sigra police station. All such (fake) items of medicines sent to Odisha have been seized from one Ashok Kumar, resident of Bulandshahar under Secunderabad police station jurisdiction,” said the official.

He has been arrested. Based on his confession, another godown under Lahartara police station jurisdiction was also raided where huge quantities of spurious drugs amounting to Rs 7.35 crore have been seized. Interrogation is based on F.I.R lodged and it is said to be one of biggest spurious drug racket busted. Cash amounting to 4 lakhs also recovered from spot,” an official statement issued today by Odisha Government said.

The spurious medicines seized in February from Ashok medical hall of Bargarh district and Amit medical agencies of Jharsuguda district in Odisha were procured with supply link with Uttar Pradesh. The Odisha STF team had proceeded to UP to expedite the ongoing investigation. It has paid dividends with the busting of the racket and the arrest of its mastermind, the officials said.

Odisha drugs enforcement team is in constant touch with other state governments, including Uttar Pradesh to further establish the supply chain of fake drugs. Screening of the market is being continuously undertaken by the Health & Family Welfare department. Stop sale orders are being issued wherever any suspicious activity is found, they added.