Fake Weight Loss Drug Racket Busted In Gurugram, Mounjaro Injections Worth Rs 56 Lakh Seized

A major counterfeit drug operation linked to one of the world’s most sought-after weight-loss injections has been uncovered in Gurugram, with authorities seizing fake Mounjaro KwikPen stock valued at over Rs 56 lakh. Two men have been arrested, including one who allegedly manufactured the injections from his apartment.

Acting on a tip-off, a team led by Drugs Control Officer Amandeep Chauhan intercepted a Swift Dzire near Super Mart I, Huda City Centre, on Saturday evening. The vehicle was driven by Shahbaz Alam Ansari, an Ola cab driver hired from Lal Quila, while the passenger, Mujammil Khan, claimed to be a medical representative with Hemped Souls International.

During questioning, Khan told officials the consignment belonged to Avi Sharma,

a Sohna resident. Authorities waited at the spot until Sharma arrived shortly after midnight. When asked to produce a valid licence to stock or distribute the drugs, he failed to do so and admitted to manufacturing the injections at his residence in Gurugram.

Both Mujammil Khan and Avi Sharma were arrested under provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, including Sections 18(c) and 17(B), which deal with the sale and distribution of unlicensed and spurious drugs.

The seized consignment included all available strengths—2.5 mg, 5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg, 12.5 mg and 15 mg—with a total estimated value of Rs 56,15,847 based on MRP. Officials classified the stock as spurious under Section 17B(e) of the Act.

A physical inspection comparing the products with genuine labels from Eli Lilly revealed multiple discrepancies, including missing cold-chain storage instructions (2°C–8°C), mismatched font sizes, and incorrect manufacturer details.

Investigators believe the supply chain may be linked to Delhi’s Bhagirath Palace market, though billing records were generated in Gurugram. Each dose of the drug typically retails between Rs 13,000 and Rs 25,000, making it a lucrative target for counterfeiters.

Officials said demand for Mounjaro has surged in recent months, particularly due to its off-label use for weight loss, leading to the emergence of a parallel illegal market.

Authorities have contacted Eli Lilly India to verify label discrepancies and are now expanding the probe to identify the wider distribution network, with the suspected Delhi supply route under close scrutiny.