The State Monitoring Cell (SMC) conducted a raid on a factory in Masma, GIDC Olpad, Surat, acting on a tip-off, and seized 25 tons of adulterated “pure ghee.” During the raid, officials arrested two brothers, Rakesh and Bhupesh Bhartiya, residents of Vaishnodevi Sky, Jahangirpura, Surat. The Food and Drug Department has initiated an investigation into the case.
The seized goods include 496 boxes of adulterated cow ghee valued at Rs 23.84 lakh, along with raw materials like essence and other additives worth Rs 69.67 lakh. The total value of the confiscated items amounts to Rs 1.17 crore, including machinery worth Rs 16.59 lakh and packing materials worth Rs 7.55 lakh. Two mobile phones were also seized.
The accused allegedly sold the adulterated ghee under various brand names such as Shubh Cow Ghee, Labh Cow Ghee, Oreo Cow Ghee, and Savro Cow Ghee, sending shipments to Maharashtra and Rajasthan. The police found empty boxes labeled with additional brand names, including Dharti, Radhe, and Krishna. The factory had been operating for approximately six months.
Local police have launched further investigations to track the dealers and customers who received the adulterated ghee in Maharashtra and Rajasthan. Officials also seized mixtures of vegetable fat, fatty acids, and diglycerides used in the adulteration process, and these raw materials are being sent for forensic examination.