Mumbai cops seize 470 litres of adulterated milk, four held

The Mumbai Crime Branch has busted an illegal manufacturing unit allegedly producing counterfeit milk pouches and supplying packaging to those involved in milk adulteration across Mumbai and its suburbs, officials said.

Four people have been arrested following coordinated raids in Dahisar East and Vasai, police said.

The investigation, conducted by Unit 12 of Mumbai Crime Branch, has also uncovered an alleged supply network that had been producing and distributing fake branded milk packaging since 2021.

The investigation began on July 9, 2026, after Crime Branch officers received information about the alleged distribution of adulterated milk in Dahisar East.

Police raided a room at Rajesh Compound, where they allegedly found suspects tampering with milk pouches.

According to investigators, the accused would cut open genuine pouches of brands, remove some of the milk and replace it with unhygienic water.

The pouches were then reportedly resealed and prepared for sale as genuine branded milk.

Police seized around 470 litres of milk, counterfeit pouches, sealing equipment and mobile phones during the raid. Two suspects were arrested at the spot.

Probe leads police to Vasai factory

During questioning, the arrested suspects allegedly led investigators to the main person behind the counterfeit packaging operation.

Police tracked down and arrested the alleged mastermind in Telangana.

Further investigation reportedly revealed that the suspect had been manufacturing and supplying counterfeit milk packaging material to adulterators in Mumbai and surrounding areas for more than five years.

Acting on the information, Crime Branch officers raided a factory at Waliv Phata in Vasai East in Palghar district in Maharashtra.

Machinery worth Rs 10 lakh seized

Police seized printing and pouch-making machinery worth around Rs 10 lakh from the factory.

The equipment was allegedly being used to print counterfeit brand logos and manufacture plastic pouches designed to resemble those used by established milk brands.

Investigators said the operation exposed the entire alleged supply chain, from the manufacture of counterfeit packaging to the adulteration and distribution of milk.

Police said property worth more than Rs 10.79 lakh was seized during the operation.

The seizures included:

– 470 litres of adulterated milk carrying branding of top milk brands, valued at around Rs 29,750.

– Counterfeit empty milk pouches and related material worth around Rs 13,000.

– Printing and pouch-making machinery worth around Rs 10 lakh.

– Four mobile phones valued at around Rs 40,000.

A case has been registered at Dahisar Police Station under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

Police said the crackdown has helped dismantle the alleged network involved in manufacturing counterfeit packaging and supplying it to milk adulterators.

Further investigation is underway to identify other people who may have been involved in the supply and distribution chain.