Fake Food and Faulty Foundations: Odisha Crackdown Uncovers Counterfeit Operations

Odisha is facing a surge in counterfeit products, with recent police raids uncovering significant operations producing fake food and construction materials. In two separate incidents, authorities seized large quantities of adulterated ginger-garlic paste in Brahmapur and counterfeit cement in Bhubaneswar. These discoveries have sparked concerns about public health and safety, as well as the potential for economic damage caused by these illegal activities.

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Brahmapur: Spoiling the Spice Trade:

In Brahmapur, a raid on an illegal manufacturing unit operating out of a house in Laxmi Nrusingh Sahi 7th Lane revealed a large-scale operation producing adulterated ginger and garlic paste. Police, acting on a tip-off, raided the unit on Thursday evening, led by Badabazar police station IIC Baba Shankar Saraf and accompanied by BMC Food Safety Officer Smita Khadanga.

The unit, run by E-Ritika Patra (30), who was detained by police, was found to be operating without the necessary trade or food licenses. Authorities seized five packaging machines, 14 containers, 41 sacks of ginger-garlic paste, and a large quantity of raw materials, estimated to be worth around ₹10 lakh. Investigations are underway to determine the source of the raw materials and the extent of the distribution network, which is believed to have reached rural areas and even Gajapati district. The paste was being sold for ₹5 per packet. Samples have been collected for testing to determine the exact nature of the adulteration.

Bhubaneswar: Cracking Down on Crumbling Concrete:

Simultaneously, in Bhubaneswar, police uncovered a counterfeit cement operation operating under the guise of "Stuti Enterprises" near Tankapani Sai Mandir. This raid resulted in the seizure of large quantities of fake cement, with an estimated value of lakhs of rupees.

The operation involved collecting rejected or substandard cement (locally known as "tela") from various companies and grinding it before mixing it with other substances and repackaging it as branded cement. The counterfeit product was then distributed to cement retailers in Bhubaneswar and surrounding areas, making it difficult for consumers to distinguish between genuine and fake products.

Police arrested Durga Charan Sasmal, the owner of the godown, and an employee, Sanjay Routray, in connection with the operation. It was revealed during the investigation that Sasmal had been involved in similar activities in Cuttack for six years and had previously been arrested and jailed three years prior. After his release, he relocated his operations to Bhubaneswar. The godown in Pahala belonging to the company has also been sealed.

These two separate incidents highlight a disturbing trend of counterfeit products infiltrating the market, posing significant risks to public health, safety, and the economy. The discovery of adulterated food products raises serious health concerns, while the presence of fake cement jeopardizes the structural integrity of buildings. The swift action taken by the police is commendable, but these incidents underscore the need for stricter regulations, increased vigilance, and greater public awareness to combat the spread of counterfeit goods and protect consumers from their potentially devastating consequences. The fact that one of the accused had a prior conviction for similar offenses emphasizes the need for more robust enforcement mechanisms and deterrents to prevent repeat offenses.