Kingpin Prashanth Traveled to Turkey for Real Drug Labels, SIT Says

What Happened

Alleged kingpin Prashanth, held by the Special Investigation Team, is accused of making several trips to Turkey to obtain authentic pharmaceutical labels that were later pasted onto counterfeit medicines, investigators said. The SIT report says Prashanth made the trips several times a year, using the genuine labels to disguise fake drugs as real products. His Turkish visa was cancelled repeatedly, after which he reportedly shifted his travel to neighboring states. Records show he also visited Azerbaijan, where he stayed before his arrest. Investigators believe he used intermediaries in Turkey to buy the labels, then attached them to counterfeit pills before repackaging them for sale. By mixing genuine and fake medicines, the network aimed to avoid detection by regulators. The SIT continues to probe the international supply chain, focusing on the role of intermediaries and the routes used to move the falsified products. The findings were disclosed on October 5, 2026, after a raid that led to Prashanth's detention. Sources said the labels came from a well‑known Turkish drug maker, though the company's name was not disclosed. Authorities have not disclosed the number of batches or the scale of distribution, but the case highlights how cross‑border links can help counterfeit operations masquerade as legitimate pharma firms.

Context

Using real packaging is a common tactic for counterfeit drug rings to trick buyers and evade regulators. International travel for label procurement shows how such networks exploit cross‑border trade to obtain authentic materials.