Faridpur Correspondent

A joint force has raided a counterfeit medicine and cosmetics processing factory in Faridpur. A large quantity of products, packaged under various brand names with fake BSTI logos, was seized during the operation. 

These items were illegally marketed under well-known company labels. The company’s manager, Riaz Shikder (26), was sentenced to one month in jail by a mobile court. Additionally, the court ordered a case to be filed under the Drug and Cosmetics Act against the fugitive owner.

The raid was conducted on Sunday afternoon on the second floor of a three-story building in Paschim Khabaspur area of the city. The operation was carried out by members of the army, Kotwali police station, and led by Assistant Commissioner and Executive Magistrate Fazle Rabbi along with District Drug Superintendent Md. Roknuzzaman.

The illegal lab was producing and packaging medicines for skin conditions such as acne, along with shampoos, face washes, body washes, soaps—including those intended for children—and various chemical-based products. Popular and obscure brand names like Ketojel, Parnix, and Parkit were used for packaging the products made in this facility.

According to local sources and the operation team, Mahfuzur Rahman Shipon (35), a tenant of the building at Rahimer Mor on Maulana Abdul Alim Road in Paschim Khabaspur, rented the apartment nine months ago. Since then, he had been secretly operating the illegal production unit. Shipon, a resident of Beparidangi area in Sadar Upazila, managed to flee during the raid.

District Drug Superintendent Md. Roknuzzaman stated that the illegal factory was established in two rented units without any licenses or legal approval for medicine production. He confirmed that the highest punishment under the Drug Administration Act will be pursued. “Since these items were produced without any approval, their quality is questionable and they may pose health risks,” he added. Samples of the seized products will be sent to a laboratory for quality testing.

Executive Magistrate Fazle Rabbi said that one worker was sentenced to one month in jail under Section 45 of the Consumer Rights Protection Act 2009 for illegal production. He also confirmed that a case under Section 14(1) of the Drug and Cosmetics Act 2023 will be filed against the owner as per instructions to the Drug Superintendent. Furthermore, all individuals involved in the operation will be brought under legal action.