Karnataka’s Special Investigation Team (SIT) has intensified its investigation into an alleged fake medicine racket by conducting coordinated raids at three pharmacies in Bengaluru. The action is part of the probe into an expanding counterfeit medicine network that came under investigation following the August 18 raid in Bidadi.

The pharmacies searched by the SIT include RR Pharma in Rajarajeshwari Nagar, 2365 LLP Pharma in Chamarajpet and Patel Pharma in Thalaghattapura. According to SIT officials, the raids were conducted based on leads and intelligence gathered during the interrogation of key suspects, including alleged prime accused Prashanth and distributor Veeresh Jain.

The latest operation has expanded the investigation beyond the main accused, with the SIT examining the wider distribution, retail and supply chain associated with the suspected spurious drug network. During the searches, SIT teams seized quantities of suspected counterfeit medicines stocked at the three establishments.

The owners of the pharmacies have been issued formal notices and are being questioned about their commercial dealings, procurement channels and financial transactions with the main accused. Investigators are also examining the links between the pharmacies and other participants involved in the alleged procurement and distribution of counterfeit medicines.

Preliminary findings indicate that the network allegedly sourced low-priced, generic or substandard medicines and repackaged and relabelled them as genuine branded medicines manufactured by leading pharmaceutical companies. These products were then allegedly introduced into the retail market as genuine medicines.

The SIT is now tracing the movement of the suspected counterfeit medicines to identify key suppliers and determine the extent of the alleged network. Investigators are examining when the pharmacies began procuring the suspected counterfeit products, along with their storage facilities, transportation intermediaries and distribution mechanisms.

The investigation is also examining possible links with local hospitals, clinics and nursing homes that may have sourced the suspected spurious medicines and ICU injections through the accused. The SIT has issued notices to several healthcare institutions that procured products through the suspects to determine whether any protocols were breached, whether there was any involvement by management and whether patients received the affected medicines.

The SIT said the investigation remains ongoing, with investigators working to trace the wider network and identify the distributors, suppliers and other facilitators allegedly involved in the racket.