Hyderabad: The Commissioner’s Task Force on Wednesday busted an Adulterated paste racket in Hyderabad and arrested three persons involved in manufacturing and selling unsafe ginger and garlic paste. The accused allegedly used harmful chemicals and operated in unhygienic conditions.
Sleuths of the Jubilee Hills Zone Task Force, along with Food Adulteration officials, conducted raids at two godowns in MM Pahadi under Attapur police limits. During the operation, they apprehended three brothers Sohail Charaniya, Raheem Charaniya and Amit Charaniya who ran the business. The Adulterated paste racket came to light during this inspection.
Officials said the accused were producing ginger and garlic paste by mixing chemicals such as Santic acid, acetic acid and synthetic food colour. They also used garlic peeled husk in the mixture. Moreover, the paste was stored in open plastic tubs exposed to dust and flies.
Adulterated paste racket exposed during godown raids
Investigators found that the products were unsafe for human consumption due to highly unhygienic conditions. Despite this, the accused allegedly supplied the paste to wholesale kirana stores and catering services across Hyderabad. The Adulterated paste racket thus catered to a wide market while generating illegal profits.
During the raid, officials seized 70 quintals of ginger and garlic paste. They also confiscated synthetic food colour packets, a 40-litre tin of Santic acid and other chemical materials. The total value of the seized items was estimated at ₹3.5 lakh.
Police said the accused systematically manufactured and distributed adulterated products in bulk. They targeted both wholesale and retail outlets in and around the city. The Adulterated paste racket was therefore part of an organised illegal supply chain.
The arrested persons and seized material were handed over to Attapur police station for further legal action. Officials said an investigation was underway to identify additional links and distribution networks connected to the Adulterated paste racket.
The raid was carried out under the supervision of Task Force officials, including Inspector Ch. Yadendar and his team, in coordination with Attapur police.