DCA busts illegal ‘Dr Josh’ Sildenafil tablets smuggled from UP, 7,300 pills seized

Hyderabad: In a major strike against the circulation of spurious drugs, the Telangana Drugs Control Administration (DCA) has unearthed an illegal consignment of ‘Dr Josh’ Sildenafil tablets being smuggled into the state.

Acting on credible information, officials from the Rangareddy Zone conducted a high-stakes raid on a logistics depot in Hayathnagar, resulting in a significant seizure.

The raid, carried out on March 13, targeted the Delhivery Limited logistics depot situated in Autonagar, Hayathnagar Mandal.

During the operation, DCA officials detected a substantial stock of ‘Dr Josh’ brand Sildenafil Tablets (100 mg), a drug primarily used in the treatment of Erectile Dysfunction, which were claimed to be manufactured by Alventa Pharma Limited, Solan, Himachal Pradesh.

The modus operandi

The seized consignment, consisting of 7,300 tablets valued at approximately Rs 2.7 lakhs, was found to have been illegally shipped from Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, without any valid invoices or documentation.

Preliminary investigations by the DCA revealed that the illicit shipment was orchestrated by Puvvada Lakshmana, a habitual offender with multiple pending cases related to the trade of spurious drugs in the state.

Investigation going on

“DCA officials have lifted samples for further analysis. We are conducting a thorough investigation, and strict legal action will be initiated against all individuals involved in this illegal operation,” said DCA officials.

They further emphasized that the illegal sourcing, stocking, and sale of medicines are serious offenses under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, carrying a penalty of up to five years of imprisonment.

The operation was executed by Drugs Inspectors L. Raju (Hayathnagar) and J. Nagaraju (Saroornagar), under the direct supervision of Assistant Director G. Prasad.

Public Appeal

The Drugs Control Administration has reiterated its commitment to cracking down on the illegal drug trade in Telangana. The Director General of the DCA, Shahnawaz Qasim, IPS appealed to the public to stay vigilant.

Citizens are urged to report any suspected illegal manufacturing, stocking, or sale of drugs, including narcotic and psychotropic substances, in residential, commercial, or industrial areas.

The public can reach out to the DCA through their toll-free helpline at 1800-599-6969. The line is operational on all working days from 10:30 am to 5:00 pm.