Mumbai: 3 held for black-marketing black fungus injection vials

The Kapurbawadi police have arrested three people for illegally black marketing and sale of Liposomal Amphotericin-B injection a drug used for the treatment of black fungus disease. The police have seized 14 Liposomal Amphotericin-B injections of 50ml worth Rs 1.09 lakhs.

The police was informed about the accused persons selling the vials at much higher rates than its original price. They were found selling it for Rs 10,500, while the original price is Rs 7,816. The information was shared by Binu Varghese, a social activist to Anil Kumbhare, additional commissioner of police, Thane. A team headed by Priyatama Muthe, police inspector, Kapurbawadi under the guidance of Anil Deskmukh, senior police inspector started their investigations.

Muthe said as per information the team laid a trap on Friday afternoon along with the FDA (Food And Drugs Administration) officials at Kapurbawadi junction and seized 14 injection vials and 3 mobile phones worth Rs 1.09 lakhs.

The police said the arrested the accused persons who are identified as Amardeep Sonawane, 24, a resident of Panvel and Nikhil Pawar, 22, a resident of Vasai. "Among the two accused arrested, one is working with BMC as a Marshall, while another is with a medical company," said a police officer.

The police said on interrogating Sonawane and Pawar they further arrested Pragesh Patel, 34, a resident of Boisar in Palghar. Patel is said to be an operator with a medical firm. "All the three accused were produce in court and remanded in police custody till June 23. We are further investigating who others are involved in the crime," said Muthe.

The Kapurbawadi police have registered a case under section 420 (cheating) and 34 (common intention) of the Indian Penal Code and relevant section of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and sections of the drugs (price control) order 2013.