GHAZIABAD — In a major crackdown on the pharmaceutical black market, the Ghaziabad police on Sunday, February 8, 2026, announced they had busted a sophisticated counterfeit medicine racket. The operation targeted the manufacturing and distribution of spurious Liv.52 DS tablets—one of India’s most popular liver care formulations—following a formal complaint from the Himalaya Wellness Company.
The investigation, led by the Muradnagar police and the SWAT unit, revealed a two-state manufacturing network designed to undercut the original brand by offering retailers massive profit margins.
1. Modus Operandi: The Anatomy of the Scam
The racket functioned as a lean, cross-border production line to minimize costs and evade detection.
- Two-State Manufacturing: During interrogation, the suspects admitted that the fake tablets were manufactured at a facility in Haryana, while the specialized packaging—including identical-looking boxes and foil wrappers—was printed in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh.
- Price Undercutting: The gang’s primary weapon was the “margin game.”
- Cost to Produce: ₹35 – ₹40 per box.
- Supply Price to Retailers: ₹110 – ₹115 per box.
- Original Liv.52 MRP: ₹280 per box.
- Distribution: The fake goods were primarily supplied from Muradnagar and distributed to unsuspecting chemists in Aligarh and surrounding districts.
2. The Investigation Timeline (2026)
DCP (Rural) Surendra Nath Tewari shared that the breakthrough came after technical surveillance traced the “paper trail” of a local supply firm.
- January 3: Himalaya Wellness Company files an FIR after irregularities are detected in Liv.52 DS tablets sold at local medical stores.
- January 10: Initial raids at NP Trading Company in Muradnagar reveal the firm was using forged drug licenses and fake GST details.
- February 7-8: SWAT teams conduct a series of raids, recovering a massive haul of 50,000 counterfeit tablets and arresting key members of the syndicate.
3. Counterfeit vs. Genuine: Consumer Alert
| Feature | Counterfeit Liv.52 | Genuine Himalaya Liv.52 |
| Manufacturing Cost | ₹35 (Estimated) | High-standard pharmaceutical grade |
| MRP / Price | Sold far below ₹280 | Strict ₹280 (Standard MRP) |
| Health Risks | No active ingredients; potential toxins | Verified herbal formulation |
| Packaging | Sourced from Meerut (lookalikes) | High-security holographic packaging |
4. Legal Action & Next Steps
DCP Tewari confirmed that the arrested individuals have been booked under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Drugs and Cosmetics Act.
- SWAT involvement: The SWAT team is currently analyzing mobile data to identify the “kingpin” behind the Haryana manufacturing unit.
- Public Warning: Police have advised all chemists and distributors to verify their stock sources and report any supplier offering Liv.52 at “unbelievable” wholesale rates.