Surat, April 17: Authorities in Surat have launched a significant operation against adulterated ghee, seizing 2,029 kilograms of fake ghee and arresting two individuals. The Special Operation Group conducted this raid in the Sachin GIDC area as part of ‘Operation Shuddhi’ following reports of fake ghee sales in various parts of the city.
Based on intelligence and technical surveillance, multiple teams were formed to identify the suspects. The raid targeted a factory named ‘Sabka Foods’ located in Sachin GIDC and a warehouse in Talangpur, Choryasi Taluka.
During the operation, police recovered adulterated ghee, machinery, raw materials, and other goods valued at approximately ₹36,36,530. This includes ₹14,19,960 worth of ghee and ₹21,61,570 worth of machinery and other items. Cash and mobile phones were also confiscated. The arrested individuals have been identified as 48-year-old Bharat Polara and 45-year-old Ameen Vadhwania, both of whom are businessmen.
The police have filed a case against them at the Sachin GIDC police station. Investigations revealed that the accused operated a systematic method of adulteration, mixing palm oil, vegetable ghee, and vegetable butter with pure ghee. They used artificial essences and synthetic colors to mimic the genuine aroma and color of cow ghee.
According to the police, precise amounts of chemicals were mixed using needles and syringes, making it difficult to distinguish between real and fake ghee. During interrogation, the suspects admitted to producing different qualities of ghee based on customer demand. The cheaper ghee was primarily made from oil, while the more expensive version contained a small amount of real ghee.
This ghee was sold wholesale at prices ranging from ₹600 to ₹650 per kilogram and retailed for up to ₹1,000 per kilogram. Deputy Commissioner of Police Rajdeep Singh Nakum stated that the suspects had been engaged in this illegal activity for the past two years, preparing and selling adulterated ghee according to market demand.
The ghee was packaged under names like ‘Vidur Cow Ghee’ and ‘Desi Ghee,’ sold in small pouches and up to 15-kilogram containers. Police suspect that this supply network extends throughout South Gujarat and surrounding areas. Further investigations are ongoing.
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