Karnataka SIT raids 10 locations in 6 states in fake pharma racket probe
Synopsis
A counterfeit medicine network that allegedly repackaged expired drugs as premium multinational brands — some reportedly destined for hospital ICUs — has drawn a nationwide crackdown: Karnataka's SIT, backed by 80–100 officials, swept 10 locations across six states, and investigators say foreign-sourced fake labels point to an international dimension that is still being unravelled.
Key Takeaways
The Karnataka SIT raided 10 locations across 6 states — Karnataka, Haryana, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Himachal Pradesh, and Telangana — on Friday, 12 September 2026 .
Around 80 to 100 officials from the SIT and the Drugs Control Department participated in the joint operation.
The racket allegedly involved sourcing expired or substandard medicines, repackaging them in new vials, and relabelling them as prominent multinational pharma brands .
Some counterfeit drugs were reportedly intended for hospital ICUs , supplied to private hospitals and pharmacies at nearly 50% below market price .
Counterfeit medicines worth approximately ₹5 crore were seized when the racket was first busted near Bidadi, Ramanagara district in August 2026 .
Investigators are probing an alleged international link , with counterfeit labels reportedly sourced from foreign locations.
The Karnataka Special Investigation Team (SIT) on Friday, 12 September 2026, conducted raids at 10 locations across six states as part of its investigation into a major counterfeit pharmaceuticals racket first unearthed in Dodderi, on the outskirts of Bengaluru in Ramanagara district. The joint operation — carried out alongside the Drugs Control Department — targeted offices, properties, and premises linked to companies allegedly involved in manufacturing, repackaging, and distributing fake medicines.
Scope of the Raids
Search operations were conducted simultaneously across Karnataka, Haryana, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Himachal Pradesh, and Telangana, with an estimated 80 to 100 officials and staff deployed for the exercise. In Bengaluru, authorities searched the premises of a pharmaceutical company at Minerva Circle, near Lalbagh. The operation marks the most geographically expansive enforcement action in the ongoing probe to date.
How the Racket Operated
According to investigators, low-cost, substandard, or expired medicines were allegedly sourced from multiple states and transferred into new vials. The repackaged drugs were then relabelled with counterfeit packaging bearing the names of expensive multinational pharmaceutical brands before being sold at substantially inflated prices. The alleged unlicenced repackaging facility was discovered operating from a farmhouse in Kurubara Karenahalli, near the Bidadi toll gate in Ramanagara district.
Authorities also reportedly found that some of the counterfeit medicines were allegedly destined for use in hospital Intensive Care Units (ICUs). The drugs were reportedly supplied to private hospitals and pharmacies at prices nearly 50 per cent lower than prevailing market rates — a mechanism that investigators say helped the network embed itself into legitimate supply chains.
International Angle Under Scrutiny
The investigation has reportedly revealed an international dimension, with counterfeit labels allegedly sourced from foreign locations. Officials are examining the alleged overseas links alongside the domestic supply chain, including sourcing, manufacturing, repackaging, and distribution nodes across multiple states. The scale and cross-border nature of the operation have added urgency to the probe.
Background: How the Case Came to Light
The racket first came to light in August 2026, when the Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA) and local police jointly busted the operation near Bidadi. Counterfeit medicines estimated at approximately ₹5 crore in value were seized during the initial action. Karnataka Health Minister U.T. Khader subsequently described the case as a 'major drug mafia operation' and ordered a full investigation into the suspected inter-state network, leading to the formation of the SIT.
What Comes Next
Investigators are continuing to map the supply chain, identify sourcing locations, and trace individuals and companies involved at each stage of the network. The latest multi-state raids are expected to help authorities establish the full extent of the alleged operation and bring additional accused persons to light. The examination of the alleged international label-sourcing links remains a critical open thread in the investigation.
Point of View
But the harder question is how a farmhouse near Bidadi quietly fed fake drugs into private hospitals — and whether the hospitals themselves conducted any due diligence.
NationPress
13 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Karnataka fake pharma racket that the SIT is investigating?
It is a counterfeit medicine network busted near Bidadi in Ramanagara district in August 2026, in which expired or substandard drugs were allegedly repackaged and relabelled as expensive multinational pharma brands, then sold to private hospitals and pharmacies. Medicines worth approximately ₹5 crore were seized in the initial action.
Why are the raids significant?
The raids are significant because the network allegedly supplied counterfeit medicines intended for hospital ICUs, posing a direct risk to critically ill patients. The six-state sweep involving up to 100 officials reflects the scale of the alleged distribution network.
Which states were covered in the SIT raids?
The SIT conducted raids across Karnataka, Haryana, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Himachal Pradesh, and Telangana — targeting offices, properties, and premises of companies allegedly linked to the counterfeit medicine supply chain.
Is there an international angle to the case?
Yes, investigators reportedly believe that counterfeit labels used to disguise the drugs were sourced from foreign locations. Officials are examining the alleged overseas links as part of the continuing investigation.
What happens next in the investigation?
The SIT and Drugs Control Department are continuing to map the full supply chain — from sourcing and manufacturing to repackaging and distribution. Authorities aim to identify additional individuals and companies involved, and to trace the source of the counterfeit labels with alleged foreign connections.
