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The Karnataka Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing a multi-state fake drug racket has arrested alleged kingpin Prashanth, who had been absconding for nearly one-and-a-half months.
Prashanth, 36, was arrested at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru early Monday, September 28, after he arrived from Sharjah. He had reportedly travelled to Sharjah from Azerbaijan, where investigators had earlier traced him.
A lookout circular had been issued against Prashanth after he allegedly fled following the discovery of the racket. Airport authorities alerted the SIT when he arrived in Bengaluru, following which a team led by Assistant Commissioner of Police Anjan Kumar took him into custody.
Prashanth was taken for a medical examination and subsequently brought to the Bengaluru City Police Commissioner’s office, where SIT officials recorded his preliminary statement. He is expected to be produced before a court later on Monday and is likely to be taken into police custody for further questioning.
Investigators suspect Prashanth is a key accused in the racket, which was uncovered on August 18 when Tavarekere police and officials from the Food Safety and Drugs Administration raided a farmhouse in Dodderi, near Bidadi, in Bengaluru South district.
The officials seized suspected spurious and expired medicines, packaging material, fake bills, counterfeit labels and equipment used for filling medicines. The seized material and other valuables were estimated to be worth around Rs 5 crore.
Prashanth allegedly escaped during the raid and remained absconding. He was subsequently traced to Azerbaijan, where he was reportedly detained by local authorities over passport and visa-related issues.
The SIT was formed on August 20 to investigate the wider network and has so far arrested several people in connection with the case, including pharmacy owner Veeresh Kumar Jain, who runs Krupa Health Care at Minerva Circle in Bengaluru.
Prashanth’s arrest followed information obtained from other accused, including Veeresh Jain. The SIT is now questioning him to establish the alleged network’s operations and identify others involved.
The investigation is also examining the alleged manufacture, repackaging and sale of counterfeit medicines through unlicensed facilities and the extent of the network across states.