Gujarat FDCA seizes ₹2.68 lakh unlicensed cosmetics from Ahmedabad firm
Synopsis
Gujarat's FDCA didn't just raid one unlicensed cosmetics unit — it simultaneously helped crack an interstate counterfeit blood-pressure drug syndicate spanning Ahmedabad, Lucknow, and Jaipur. The dual crackdown on the same day signals a sharp escalation in enforcement against both unregulated beauty products and fake life-saving medicines.
Key Takeaways
Gujarat FDCA seized cosmetics and materials worth over ₹2.68 lakh from Aanki Herbal in Ahmedabad's Tragad area on 25 August .
The firm was allegedly manufacturing and repackaging cosmetics — including fairness cream, shampoo, and glycerine soap — without a licence or quality testing.
Bulk supplies were allegedly sourced from Ravi Marketing, Odhav ; samples of 10 products sent for laboratory analysis.
A separate bust by the Crime Branch and FDCA dismantled an interstate counterfeit Nicardia Retard 10 drug syndicate, with 3 arrests across Ahmedabad and Lucknow.
Health Minister Praful Pansheriya pledged 'zero tolerance' and commended the enforcement teams.
Gujarat's Food and Drugs Control Administration (FDCA) has seized cosmetics and raw materials worth over ₹2.68 lakh from a firm in Ahmedabad's Tragad area, after officials found that products were allegedly being manufactured and repackaged without a valid licence or mandatory quality testing. The raid, conducted on 25 August, targeted Aanki Herbal following confidential intelligence received by the department.
What Was Found at the Premises
An FDCA team carried out a surprise inspection at the Tragad-based firm and discovered unlicensed manufacturing and bulk repackaging of cosmetic products. Seized stocks included fairness cream, dark-circle cream, shampoo, hair oil, body wash, face wash, scrub, solid perfume, and glycerine-based soap. Raw materials, packing materials, and printed labels were also confiscated, pushing the total estimated value of seized goods beyond ₹2.68 lakh.
Supply Chain Under the Scanner
Investigators found that the bulk material used in the alleged illegal activity was reportedly sourced from Ravi Marketing, located in Ahmedabad's Odhav area. According to the FDCA, cosmetics were repackaged and glycerine soap was manufactured illegally at a flat in Shivanta Regal. The department has extended its investigation to Ravi Marketing. Officials also collected samples of 10 different cosmetic products from the premises and dispatched them to a laboratory for quality analysis.
Counterfeit Blood-Pressure Drug Racket Also Busted
In a separate but related crackdown, the Ahmedabad City Crime Branch and FDCA jointly dismantled an alleged interstate syndicate involved in manufacturing, procuring, and distributing counterfeit blood-pressure medicines. Three individuals were arrested — Dashil Sanghavi, 39, of Ahmedabad, and Devendra Yadav, 39, and Umang Rastogi, 34, both from Lucknow.
The investigation was triggered after a pharmaceutical company based in Ankleshwar alerted the FDCA about counterfeit versions of Nicardia Retard 10, a nifedipine sustained-release medicine used to treat high blood pressure, circulating in the market. Suspected counterfeit strips were recovered from Kishan Medical Store in Nadiad, as well as from Navkar Medical Agency and Mahadev Medical Agency in Bhuj. The Kutch supply chain was allegedly linked to AVR Medicos in Jaipur. A formal case has been registered with the Crime Branch and the investigation is ongoing.
Government's Stance
Health Minister Praful Pansheriya stated that the government would maintain a 'zero tolerance' approach towards such activities and continue strict legal action against those found violating regulations. Pansheriya also congratulated the Ahmedabad City Police Commissioner and personnel of the Crime Branch and FDCA for the operations. The FDCA said further legal action would be initiated against any activity found to compromise public health and safety.
The twin actions signal a broader push by Gujarat's drug regulatory machinery to crack down on unauthorised cosmetic manufacturing and counterfeit pharmaceutical distribution across the state and beyond.
Point of View
Particularly in residential and semi-commercial premises. More telling is the simultaneous counterfeit drug bust — counterfeit blood-pressure medicines are not a nuisance problem, they are a patient-safety emergency. The Nicardia Retard 10 case, spanning Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan, suggests that interstate pharmaceutical fraud is far more organised than single-state enforcement can address. Gujarat's twin crackdown is a signal, but the systemic fix requires coordinated national-level surveillance, not episodic state raids.
NationPress
28 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did the Gujarat FDCA find at Aanki Herbal in Ahmedabad?
The FDCA found that Aanki Herbal in Ahmedabad's Tragad area was allegedly manufacturing cosmetics and repackaging bulk products without a valid licence or quality testing. Officials seized goods including fairness cream, shampoo, hair oil, body wash, and glycerine soap, along with raw materials and printed labels, totalling over ₹2.68 lakh in value.
What is Nicardia Retard 10 and why is the counterfeit case significant?
Nicardia Retard 10 is a nifedipine sustained-release medicine prescribed for high blood pressure. Counterfeit versions of this drug were allegedly being distributed across Gujarat, with supply links traced to Lucknow and Jaipur, making it a patient-safety risk for people relying on the medicine to manage a serious chronic condition.
Who was arrested in the counterfeit medicine case?
Three individuals were arrested: Dashil Sanghavi, 39, of Ahmedabad, and Devendra Yadav, 39, and Umang Rastogi, 34, both from Lucknow. A case has been registered with the Ahmedabad City Crime Branch and the investigation is ongoing.
What action has the Gujarat government said it will take next?
Health Minister Praful Pansheriya said the government will maintain a 'zero tolerance' approach and continue strict legal action against violators. The FDCA has also extended its investigation to the alleged bulk supplier, Ravi Marketing in Odhav, and sent samples of 10 cosmetic products for laboratory quality analysis.
How widespread is the alleged counterfeit drug network?
The alleged network spans at least three states — Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan. Counterfeit stock was recovered from medical stores in Nadiad and Bhuj in Gujarat, with supply links traced to AVR Medicos in Jaipur and accused persons based in Lucknow.
