Surat News: In a major breakthrough, the Gujarat Police have uncovered a large-scale food adulteration racket in Surat’s Amroli area, exposing the production and distribution of fake ghee across the state. Acting on a tip-off, the Special Operations Group (SOG) carried out a series of raids on three illegal factories and warehouses, seizing adulterated ghee worth ₹67 lakh and machinery valued at over ₹1.20 crore.
Four Arrested in Connection with the Fake Ghee Operation
During the operation, police arrested four accused individuals identified as Jayesh Rameshchandra Maisuria, Ankit Tekchand Panchiwala, Sumit Jayesh Maisuria, and Dinesh Tejaji Gehlot. According to officials, the accused were manufacturing fake ghee using chemical ingredients and low-quality raw materials sourced from Bhopal.
The investigation revealed that the gang had installed a 2,000-litre mixing tank with a stove obtained from the Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC). The packaging boxes used for the counterfeit products were reportedly purchased from Ahmedabad GIDC.
Illegal Factories Operating from Rented Units in Residential Areas
A senior officer from the SOG told ETV Bharat that the accused were operating these illegal factories from rented residential and commercial spaces, endangering public health.
“The main accused, Jayesh, ran his factory under the name Madhav Dairy Products in Kosad Sardar Nagar, paying ₹50,000 rent per month. He also rented a nearby shop for ₹25,000 to store the fake ghee,” the officer explained.
Similarly, Ankit Panchiwala managed another unit named New Adinath Dairy Products in Pragati Ecopark, Bharthana-Amroli, paying ₹40,000 for the facility and an additional ₹63,000 for three storage shops in Kosad. The other two accused, Sumit and Dinesh, jointly operated a third factory located at Eva Imbro Park, Amroli.
Network Spread Across Gujarat and Maharashtra
Initial investigations have revealed that the racket employed at least ten salesmen to distribute the fake ghee to local markets. “Jayesh had six salesmen working for him, while Ankit, Sumit, and Dinesh had two each,” the officer added.
The SOG recovered accounting diaries during the raid, listing 110 retailers and dairy owners across Surat and nearby regions who allegedly purchased the adulterated products. The fake ghee was also being transported to Maharashtra’s Nandurbar and Dhule districts, expanding the racket’s reach beyond Gujarat.
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Health and Safety Concerns Under Investigation
The Gujarat Food and Drug Department has now joined the investigation to inspect all the dairies and retail shops mentioned in the seized records. Authorities emphasized that this case is not just a matter of financial fraud but a serious threat to public health.
“Selling chemically adulterated ghee is a direct danger to people’s health. We will ensure strict action against all those involved,” said an investigating officer.
Surat News: Crackdown on Food Adulteration in Surat
This recent Surat News highlights growing concerns over food safety and illegal manufacturing in Gujarat. With police uncovering multiple unregistered factories operating within residential zones, the case has prompted authorities to intensify inspections across the city.
Officials have urged citizens to remain cautious and buy only from verified dairy brands. The police have also set up a dedicated helpline for reporting suspicious food production activities, reaffirming their commitment to ensuring food safety in Surat and across Gujarat.
