Gonda: In a major crackdown on the illegal trade of counterfeit and narcotic medicines, a joint team of the Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA) and the Uttar Pradesh Police seized counterfeit, psychotropic and prescription medicines worth approximately ₹1.13 crore from three unlicensed drug warehouses in Gonda district. One accused has been arrested, while the alleged mastermind remains absconding.
The three-day operation, conducted from July 16 to 18, followed confidential intelligence received from the FSDA headquarters in Lucknow. Drug inspectors from nine districts, assisted by the local police, carried out coordinated raids in Bariyar Purwa, Sonar Gali and Bargaon areas.
The team initially inspected Aman Pharmaceuticals, reportedly operating on the Gonda-Balrampur Road at Jaynagra, Bargaon. Investigators found that the firm was not functioning from its registered address, and no signboard was displayed at the location. The team then reached the residence of the firm’s operator, Aman Kasoudhan, for further inquiry.
During questioning, Aman’s brother, Shivam Kasoudhan, admitted that the two were conducting a pharmaceutical business from a location in Bariyar Purwa without holding a valid drug licence. Further investigation led officials to two additional warehouses allegedly being operated illegally without statutory authorisation.
When officials demanded purchase invoices, stock registers, sales records and other mandatory documents, the operators failed to produce any. Consequently, all medicines stored at the three premises were seized and sealed on the spot.
The seizure included 53,712 Diptram Plus capsules, 14,700 Ultranim-P tablets, 59,256 Proxyspas capsules, 282,960 Semplex Plus capsules, 32,160 Romer Spas capsules, 196,000 Tramadol injections, 60,000 Alzomac 0.5 (Alprazolam) tablets, 63 bottles of Codeine Phosphate syrup (Anrex/Wonrex), along with a large quantity of other allopathic medicines. The total market value of the seized stock has been estimated at around ₹1.13 crore.
Officials also collected 19 drug samples during the raids, which have been sent to the government laboratory for quality testing. Based on the laboratory findings and the outcome of the investigation, legal proceedings will be initiated under the relevant provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 against the individuals and firms involved.
Police arrested Shivam Kasoudhan, son of Pramod Kasoudhan and a resident of Rani Bazar, Bargaon, while his brother Aman Kasoudhan, believed to be the principal operator of the illegal network, escaped during the operation. Police teams are conducting raids at multiple locations to trace and arrest him.
Considering the alleged illegal trafficking of psychotropic and narcotic medicines, which authorities said could fuel substance abuse among youth, an FIR (No. 0676 dated July 19, 2026) has been registered at Kotwali Nagar Police Station under Sections 8 and 21 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.
The Food Safety and Drug Administration reiterated that the Uttar Pradesh Government is following a zero-tolerance policy against the manufacture, storage and sale of fake, illegal and narcotic medicines. Officials said the enforcement drive against such networks will continue to protect public health and curb the misuse of addictive pharmaceutical substances across the state.
