Pharma Scandal: Deadly Cough Syrup Sparks Nationwide Raids
The Enforcement Directorate raided Sresan Pharmaceuticals, linked to child deaths in Madhya Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu FDA officials in a money laundering inquiry. The investigation follows the arrest of Sresan’s owners and allegations of distributing deadly cough syrup, leading to the suspension of regulatory officials.
- Country:
- India
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted raids on Sresan Pharmaceuticals and senior Tamil Nadu FDA officials in connection with a money laundering investigation linked to deadly cough syrup sales. Sources reported searches at seven Chennai locations under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
Among those targeted in the raids were key Sresan Pharmaceuticals employees and P U Karthikeyan, a director in charge of the Tamil Nadu Food and Drug Administration (TNFDA), who was previously arrested for bribery. The ED suspects the profits from the adulterated cough syrup sales to be proceeds of crime under the PMLA.
The ED's action came after registering a criminal case based on police FIRs from Madhya Pradesh, where 22 children died, and Tamil Nadu's bribery case. The cough syrup, Coldrif, was found laced with toxic diethylene glycol (DEG). Sresan Pharmaceuticals' owner, G Ranganathan, was arrested amid regulatory suspensions and ongoing investigations into the tragic fatalities.
(With inputs from agencies.)
Google News