Investigators say the alleged organiser travelled to Turkey to obtain genuine pharmaceutical labels later used on counterfeit medicines.
Investigators probing an alleged counterfeit-drug racket are examining possible international links. Sources told The Hindu that a suspect identified as Prashanth travelled to Turkey several times a year to obtain genuine pharmaceutical labels, reportedly through intermediaries. Investigators suspect the labels were placed on counterfeit medicines that were repackaged and passed off as genuine.
After his Turkish visa was cancelled more than once, Prashanth is suspected of travelling to neighbouring countries. He was reportedly in Azerbaijan before his arrest. Investigators are also examining claims that counterfeit drugs were mixed with genuine products to make the fraud harder to detect.
The Special Investigation Team is continuing to trace alleged intermediaries, travel routes and other parts of the suspected international network. The findings remain under investigation.