Agra (Uttar Pradesh): A massive fake medicine racket has been busted in Agra, exposing how deep this illegal trade runs. Despite repeated crackdowns, the market for counterfeit medicines, sample drugs, and narcotics continues to flourish. This time, the Special Task Force (STF) and Drug Department teams uncovered a huge stock of fake medicines worth ₹2.43 crore and arrested the key accused.
Businessman Caught Offering ₹1 Crore Bribe
The most shocking twist came when Himanshu Agarwal, operator of Hema Medico, tried to bribe STF Inspector Yatendra Sharma and Assistant Commissioner of Medicine Naresh Mohan Deepak with ₹1 crore in cash to stop the raid. He even promised to double the amount to ₹2 crore if needed. Bags filled with ₹500 notes were brought in, forcing police to use a counting machine at the station.
Officials say such a massive bribe offer clearly shows the scale of profits being made through this illegal trade. The accused was caught red-handed and a case under the Anti-Corruption Act has been filed.
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| Photo: STF officers in action, pile of cash seized and businessman Himanshu Agrawal |
How the Racket Worked
According to STF, Himanshu Agarwal operated multiple firms in Agra and nearby districts. Fake medicines were being manufactured with packaging and QR codes that looked almost identical to the originals of four well-known pharma companies.
When company representatives were called to verify the seized medicines, they found the QR codes and packaging appeared genuine, making the counterfeit drugs extremely difficult to detect. This raised further alarm over how widespread the fake supply network could be.
Raids Across Warehouses and Medical Stores
The STF and Drug Department raided Bansal Medical Agency, Hema Medico, and four warehouses in the Fawwara area. Fake medicines worth ₹2.43 crore were seized from Hema Medico’s warehouses, while an earlier raid on Friday recovered drugs worth ₹80 lakh. The medicines were transported in sacks and even intercepted in a loading vehicle from Agra Cantt.
The warehouses were sealed immediately. Medicines were shifted to Kotwali police station as evidence.
Two Weeks of Surveillance Before Action
This operation was the result of two weeks of careful surveillance. STF officers, along with representatives of pharma companies, posed as customers to buy medicines from these stores. After confirming that fake drugs were being sold under company names, the raid was carried out.
Top-Level Monitoring from Lucknow
The entire case was closely monitored by officials in Lucknow, including ADG STF Amitabh Yash, FSDA Commissioner Rajesh Kumar, and Additional Commissioner Rekha S. Chauhan. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had already received complaints about fake medicines being sold in the name of reputed pharma brands and ordered strict action.
More Arrests Likely
STF Inspector Yatendra Sharma said investigations are ongoing to identify others involved in the racket. Himanshu Agarwal is being interrogated to trace the supply chain, manufacturing units, and mastermind behind the scam. More arrests are expected in the coming days.
SP STF Rakesh Kumar Yadav confirmed:
"The accused was arrested red-handed while trying to bribe the team. Fake medicines worth over ₹2 crore have been seized and further cases are being registered."
This bust has created panic in the fake medicine trade across the region, as authorities gear up for more crackdowns.
Good Job by UP STF, FDA and police. Thank you Yogi ji for keeping our UP safe and clean.
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