Pramesh S Jain
The probe into the fake and substandard medicine racket that had sent shockwaves across Karnataka has reportedly uncovered an international connection,with the alleged kingpin and two associates detained by customs authorities at an airport in a West Asian country.
According to investigators,the gang was allegedly sourcing medicines,including drugs used to treat cancer and other serious illnesses,from abroad at substantially lower prices and illegally bringing them into India for resale at inflated rates.
The breakthrough came after customs officials at the foreign airport reportedly became suspicious of the large quantity of medicines being carried by two associates of the alleged kingpin,Prashanth of Nagarabhavi.
During questioning,the associates allegedly revealed Prashanth’s name,following which authorities detained him as well,according to information disclosed by his wife during police questioning.
The international link surfaced during the investigation into the raid conducted by Tavarekere police at a farmhouse in C.K.Thandya of Bengaluru South taluk a few days ago.
Police had allegedly uncovered an illegal medicine repackaging facility where medicines sourced at low prices from Chennai,Haryana,Chandigarh and foreign countries were being relabelled with counterfeit labels of reputed pharmaceutical companies and higher MRP tags.
The medicines were allegedly then sold in the market at nearly four times their original price.
Investigators suspect Prashanth had fled the country on August 8,before police raided the Bengaluru facility.
After learning about the raid,he allegedly booked a flight ticket for his business associate Venkatesh to join him abroad.
However,acting on specific information,police intercepted and arrested Venkatesh near Hebbal before he could reach the airport.
Investigators are now verifying reports that Prashanth is in custody abroad.A Special Investigation Team (SIT) is reportedly initiating legal procedures through Interpol and other channels to facilitate his return to India and take the investigation forward.
