Sabarkantha Police Apprehends Mastermind Behind Widespread Duplicate Milk Scam
The Sabarkantha police have successfully captured the alleged kingpin of a large-scale duplicate milk production and distribution network that was originally uncovered in Salal village, Prantij taluka, on February 6. Rakesh Patel, the proprietor of Shree Satya Dairy, was arrested on Thursday after evading authorities since the initial raid. He has been remanded to police custody for two days as the investigation intensifies.
Details of the Illicit Operation and Arrest
According to DK Patel, the Deputy Superintendent of Police for Sabarkantha, the fraudulent milk was packaged in pouches and sold across multiple locations, including Modasa, Ahmedabad, Prantij, and other areas. Police sources revealed that Patel had been operating this illicit unit for approximately five years, manufacturing and selling not only duplicate milk but also butter milk.
The production process involved a dangerous concoction of ingredients: water, milk powder, caustic soda, refined palmolein oil, refined soybean oil, detergent powder, and urea fertiliser. Investigators discovered that the operation procured 300 litres of genuine milk daily, which was then chemically adulterated to produce between 1,700 and 1,800 litres of fake milk. These adulterants were specifically used to artificially enhance the thickness, foam, and protein content of the product, deceiving consumers.
Significant Seizures and Previous Arrests
During the initial raid, law enforcement officials confiscated substantial quantities of materials used in the scam. The seized items included 450 kg of whey powder, 625 kg of skimmed milk powder, 300 kg of premium SMP powder, along with urea fertiliser, caustic soda, detergent powder, soybean oil, and palmolein oil.
Prior to Patel's arrest, the police had already taken into custody the plant operator, three workers, and one juvenile who were employed at the facility. This latest development marks a critical step in dismantling the entire network and holding those responsible accountable for endangering public health through the sale of adulterated dairy products.
