Hyderabad Police, CDSCO bust Pakistani-origin cosmetics racket, seize ₹7 lakh in goods
Synopsis
Hyderabad Police and the CDSCO raided three Nampally shops and seized ₹7 lakh worth of Pakistani-origin cosmetics lacking mandatory import registration. The products — skin-whitening creams and soaps — were flagged in a CDSCO public notice for containing heavy metals above safe limits. Five traders have been named and a Mumbai-based dealer is now in investigators' crosshairs.
Key Takeaways
Hyderabad Police and CDSCO jointly raided shops in Habeeb Nagar, Nampally on Wednesday, 1 October 2026 .
Seized cosmetics — mainly skin-whitening creams and soaps from Pakistan — are valued at approximately ₹7 lakh .
Products were listed in a CDSCO/DCGI public notice dated 8 September as unauthorised; some contained heavy metals beyond permissible limits .
Five traders named: Mohammad Afzal , Mohammad Ayan , Mohammad Riyazuddin , Syed Abid Ali , and Syed Ismail (under separate inquiry).
Cases filed under Sections 123 and 318(4) of the BNS and Sections 18-C and 27-A of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 .
A Mumbai-based dealer and a separate godown stocking additional inventory are under investigation.
Hyderabad Police and the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) have jointly dismantled an illegal cosmetics racket dealing in products of Pakistani origin, seizing goods worth approximately ₹7 lakh from multiple shops in the city's Nampally area. The operation, conducted on Wednesday, targeted products that lacked mandatory import registration and were flagged by the CDSCO as unauthorised for sale in India.
How the Raid Unfolded
Acting on credible intelligence, the Commissioner's Task Force, Rajendranagar Zone, in coordination with CDSCO officials, raided three establishments — Beauty Ladies Emporium, Beauty Queen Shop, and SJ Medical Shop — in Habeeb Nagar, Nampally. CDSCO officials subsequently verified the seized products for further legal proceedings.
The cosmetic items found at the premises included beauty creams and soaps marketed for skin-whitening purposes, manufactured in Pakistan and allegedly brought into India without the required authorisation or Registration Certificate from the competent authority.
Products Flagged as Unsafe, Linked to CDSCO Notice
According to CDSCO officials, the seized products were among those identified as unauthorised or banned in a CDSCO/DCGI public notice dated 8 September. Critically, the notice stated that some of these products contained heavy metals beyond permissible limits, which may pose serious health risks to consumers, including toxic effects. This underscores the public health dimension of what initially appears to be a trade violation case.
Supply Chain Traced to Mumbai Dealer
Preliminary inquiries revealed that the cosmetic products were allegedly procured through a Mumbai-based dealer or supplier, suspected of sourcing the goods from outside India and channelling them to distributors in Hyderabad. Investigators also found that local sellers were not maintaining proper purchase bills, invoices, or supporting documents relating to the procurement of the goods — a significant compliance failure that complicates traceability.
Notably, apart from the stock found at the retail premises, police discovered that additional inventory was being stored in a separate godown. Authorities are currently verifying the location, ownership, and quantity of the goods held there.
Five Named, Cases Filed Under BNS and Drugs Act
Police have registered a case against five traders under Sections 123 and 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Sections 18-C and 27-A of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940. The named respondents are Mohammad Afzal, Mohammad Ayan, Mohammad Riyazuddin, and Syed Abid Ali.
Police also identified Syed Ismail, who reportedly operates a shop in Santosh Nagar, as allegedly selling similar unauthorised cosmetic products. Investigators say they are verifying his role and source of procurement.
What Happens Next
The investigation is ongoing, with police looking into the godown connection and the Mumbai supply chain link. The case highlights a broader pattern of unauthorised cosmetic imports entering India through informal trade channels, a concern the CDSCO has flagged repeatedly. Consumers purchasing unbranded or unregistered skin-care products are advised to check for valid import registration markings before use.
Point of View
Yet inventory was still moving through retail shelves and a separate godown, suggesting enforcement gaps between regulation and ground-level compliance. The Mumbai supply chain link points to a wider distribution network that a city-level raid alone will not dismantle. With heavy metals flagged as a health hazard, the consumer exposure angle deserves as much attention as the criminal prosecution.
NationPress
2 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was seized in the Hyderabad cosmetics raid?
Police and CDSCO seized cosmetic products worth approximately ₹7 lakh, primarily skin-whitening creams and soaps of Pakistani origin, from three shops in Habeeb Nagar, Nampally. The goods lacked the mandatory Registration Certificate for import into India.
Why are these cosmetic products considered dangerous?
According to the CDSCO, several of the seized products were found to contain heavy metals above the permissible limits specified under Indian regulations, which can pose toxic health risks to consumers. The products were also flagged as unauthorised in a CDSCO/DCGI public notice issued on 8 September.
Who has been named in the Hyderabad cosmetics case?
Four traders — Mohammad Afzal, Mohammad Ayan, Mohammad Riyazuddin, and Syed Abid Ali — have been named as respondents. A fifth individual, Syed Ismail of Santosh Nagar, is under separate inquiry for allegedly selling similar products.
What laws have been invoked against the accused traders?
Cases have been registered under Sections 123 and 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Sections 18-C and 27-A of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940. These provisions cover the sale and distribution of spurious or unauthorised drugs and cosmetics.
Is a larger supply network under investigation?
Yes. Preliminary inquiry points to a Mumbai-based dealer suspected of sourcing and supplying the Pakistani-origin goods to Hyderabad distributors. Police are also tracing a godown where additional stock was reportedly being stored, and investigations into the broader network are ongoing.
