Police on Friday claimed to have busted a factory producing counterfeit medicine in Dhaka.
Seven people have also been arrested from Kajla, Arambagh and Mitford areas of the capital during a raid by the Detective Branch (DB) Lalbagh Division under Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), officials said.
The arrestees have been identified as Tariqul Islam, Sayed Al Mamun, Saidul Islam, Monwar, Abdul Latif, Nazmul Dhali and Sagar Ahmed Milon.
"During the drive, 700 boxes of ACME-brand medicine Monas, 50 boxes of Square company’s Seclo, 748 boxes of Jenith's Naproxen-plus and several other fake medicines, and dices and boxes, have been seized from their possession," said AKM Hafiz Akter, additional commissioner of DB.
Also Read - Fake Covid-19 test: 3 officials of TKS Healthcare put on 5-day remand
According to AC Hafiz, Tariqul Islam and Sayed Al Mamun had set up the illegal factory, where Saidul Islam was the main manufacturer and Monwar and Abdul Latif were working as his assistants.
After manufacturing, Nazmul Dhali used to distribute the counterfeit medicines in the market through some groups in the Mitford area in Dhaka, he said.
"Taking these non-pharmaceutical grade medicines, devoid of any active elements and made with low-grade starch, steroid and dye can cause severe damage to kidney, liver and heart," said the DB official.
The officer said a syndicate is actively distributing counterfeit medicines, which are more dangerous than any narcotics in the country, and targeting the small-town pharmacies.
The arrestees have been kept in police custody and placed on a three-day remand.
An FIR has been filed with the Bangshal police station in connection with the case.
