Tanishq: Counterfeit Drug Network Involving Jha Busted in Delhi

Counterfeit Drug Network Involving Tanishq Jha Busted in Delhi

On September 1, 2025, a major counterfeit drug network was dismantled by the 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 a package containing Tramadol premix. Anirudh Rai was apprehended during this delivery, marking the start of a broader investigation that linked suppliers in Uttarakhand to traders in Delhi and a manufacturer in Bihar.

Authorities seized counterfeit medicines and psychotropic drugs valued at nearly Rs 50 crore during the operation. Amit, another suspect, was found to be storing 20 kilograms of Tramadol premix in his warehouse in Roorkee, while Prashant acted as an intermediary, connecting suppliers to buyers across North India.

According to a senior Crime Branch officer, “The goal was to trace the supply chain behind the material.” The investigation revealed a complex network involving suppliers of raw materials, brokers, transporters, and manufacturing units where the raw material was converted into tablets or syrups.

“When factories shut down or excess stock remains in the warehouses, middlemen sometimes try to move the material quickly,” noted a Crime Branch officer, highlighting the challenges in monitoring such operations.

Details of the network suggest that Tanishq Jha’s operations were particularly concerning, as his factory continued to produce counterfeit medicines even after its license had expired.

The pharmaceutical belt around Roorkee has many small manufacturers that emerged after Uttarakhand was carved out of Uttar Pradesh, contributing to the prevalence of such illegal activities.

The police’s swift action has drawn attention to the ongoing issue of counterfeit drugs in India, which poses significant risks to public health.

As investigations continue, authorities are expected to delve deeper into the connections between various players in this illicit trade. The profits from these operations were reportedly shared between the suppliers and traders involved.

First reactions from law enforcement indicate a commitment to tackling the counterfeit drug issue, with officials emphasizing the need for vigilance in monitoring pharmaceutical production.

Details remain unconfirmed regarding the full extent of the network and any additional arrests that may follow as the investigation unfolds.