Delhi Police Uncover Major Counterfeit Antacid and Coffee Manufacturing Operation
In a significant crackdown on illicit manufacturing, Delhi Police has successfully dismantled a large-scale racket involved in the production of spurious antacid and coffee products. The operation resulted in the seizure of a massive quantity of counterfeit goods, including over one lakh antacid sachets and 50,000 coffee sachets that were prepared for distribution in the market. The total value of the confiscated items is estimated to be approximately Rs 20 lakh, highlighting the substantial scale of this illegal enterprise.
Raid on Rented Flats Reveals Illegal Manufacturing Units
Acting on a credible tip-off, police authorities conducted a targeted raid on two rented 2BHK flats located in the Madhu Vihar area of east Delhi. These residential premises were being utilized as covert manufacturing hubs for the production of fake antacid and coffee sachets. The investigation revealed that the illegal operations were being managed under the supervision of Uttam Das, aged 23, who was assisted by a labourer identified as Papnai Das Baragya, 19 years old.
Extensive Seizure of Equipment and Raw Materials
During the thorough raids, law enforcement officials confiscated a wide array of equipment and materials essential to the counterfeit manufacturing process. The seized items included:
- Three single-track filling machines equipped with compressors
- Approximately one lakh antacid sachets ready for sale
- 50,000 coffee sachets prepared for market distribution
- Raw materials such as 500 kg of coffee powder and two drums of acid
- Hot guns, various tools, and extensive packaging materials
This comprehensive seizure underscores the sophisticated and organized nature of the racket, which was capable of producing large volumes of spurious products.
Arrests and Investigation Uncover Mastermind and Associate
Following the initial raids, the accused individuals provided crucial information to the police, leading to the identification of the alleged mastermind behind the operation. Nitin Bharadwaj, 38 years old, was subsequently arrested in Dehradun based on the disclosures made during interrogation. In a further development, based on Bharadwaj's statements, his associate Sanjay Bansal, aged 50, was apprehended from the Kashmere Gate area while attempting to flee the city. A formal case has been registered against all involved parties, and the investigation is ongoing to uncover any additional links or networks associated with this illicit manufacturing racket.
