15,000 fake BP pills sold in Ahmedabad, supply traced to Lucknow; 3 arrested

The Ahmedabad Crime Branch and Food and Drugs Department have uncovered a fake Nicardia supply chain and arrested three men. Investigators say about 15,000 counterfeit tablets may have reached patients as teams track the wider network.Police arrested Darshil Sanghvi, associated with Parshva Medical Store, along with Devendra Yadav and Umang Rastogi, both residents of Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. (Credits: Ahmedabad Crime Branch)The Ahmedabad Crime Branch, in coordination with the Food and Drugs Department, has busted a counterfeit medicine network and seized around 1,200 strips of fake blood pressure medication being circulated in the city. Three people, including the owner of a medical store, have been arrested in connection with the case.The counterfeit drug was identified as NICARDIA RETARD 10 TABLET, bearing batch number ACG25007 and manufactured by JB Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals Limited, Bharuch. Officials said the fake medicine had been supplied to several medical stores in Ahmedabad and other parts of Gujarat.15,000 FAKE TABLETS REPORTEDLY SOLDAccording to the investigation, around 1,500 strips of the counterfeit medicine had been sold to patients in Ahmedabad over the past four months. With each strip containing 10 tablets, this means approximately 15,000 counterfeit tablets may have reached consumers.The accused sold each strip for Rs 112.90. The investigation began after a complaint was received about the sale of counterfeit NICARDIA RETARD 10 TABLET at Lilavati Pharmacy and Wellness Private Limited in Ahmedabad's Satellite area. The Food and Drugs Department subsequently traced the distribution of the suspected counterfeit stock to multiple medical stores. Investigators found that around 11 pharmacies in Ahmedabad had received the medicine through Parshva Medical Store.Police arrested Darshil Sanghvi, associated with Parshva Medical Store, along with Devendra Yadav and Umang Rastogi, both residents of Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. Investigators claim that Yadav and Rastogi supplied the counterfeit medicine to Gujarat, while Sanghvi purchased and distributed it despite knowing that it was fake. Police said Sanghvi was attracted by an 18 per cent commission on the transactions.SUPPLY NETWORK SPREAD ACROSS STATESPolice said the suspected counterfeit stock was initially transported from Uttarakhand to Lucknow. Of approximately 3,600 strips, around 2,700 were sent to Ahmedabad and another 900 to Mysuru. Of the 2,700 strips sent to Ahmedabad, police have recovered about 1,200, while the remaining 1,500 were sold.The medicine was reportedly supplied not only in Ahmedabad but also in Surat, Bhavnagar, Nadiad and Bhuj.The Ahmedabad Metro Court granted the Crime Branch seven days' remand of the three arrested accused after police sought 10 days. Investigators are now trying to identify the manufacturers of the counterfeit medicine, locate the facilities where the packaging and sealing were carried out and establish the machinery and materials used.Four Crime Branch teams have been deployed across different states to trace the wider network. Police said some accused remain absconding, while a similar complaint has also been registered against two people in Maharashtra.The investigation is continuing to determine the origin of the counterfeit medicine and the complete extent of its distribution.- EndsPublished By: Ritaban MisraPublished On: Aug 28, 2026 10:15 IST