Ulhasnagar: In a major crackdown on the illegal sale and use of oxytocin injections in dairy animals, a joint team of the Central police station and the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) seized 612 bottles of suspected oxytocin injections from a dairy in Ulhasnagar, reports Pradeep GuptaInvestigators suspect the banned drug was being used to increase buffalo milk production.The action is part of the Maharashtra FDA’s intensified statewide drive against food adulteration and milk-related offences under FDA commissioner Tukaram Mundhe, who has launched an aggressive campaign against adulterated food, synthetic milk and illegal practices in the dairy sector across the state.The raid was conducted on July 16 at Prakash Tabela near Jaslok School in Bhaji Market, Ulhasnagar-3, following a specific tip-off received by the FDA. Deputy commissioner of police (Zone IV) Sachin Gore said the police had received credible information that buffaloes at the dairy were allegedly being administered oxytocin injections to extract higher quantities of milk.“We are investigating since when the dairy operator had been using the injections and from where the banned drug was being procured. We are also probing whether an interstate supply network is involved,” Gore said.During the raid, drug inspector M V Gotmare and his team found 60 buffaloes, 15 cows and six calves at the dairy. They seized six boxes containing 600 unlabelled 100-ml plastic bottles, 12 loose-filled bottles, two empty bottles, and used syringes. Officials also found that the premises did not possess a valid licence to store or deal in such drugs.The dairy owner, Prakash Wadhwani (64), allegedly failed to produce buy invoices or disclose the source of procurement of the injections. FDA officials collected statutory samples for laboratory analysis and seized the remaining stock under the provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act.Police have registered an FIR under relevant provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, Section 223(a) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. Officials said oxytocin is a prescription hormone and its routine use in animals is prohibited. Its indiscriminate use not only affects animal health but may also pose risks to consumers through contaminated milk. The FDA has appealed to citizens to report the illegal sale, storage or use of oxytocin and other banned drugs, reiterating that strict action will be taken against violators as part of its ongoing statewide enforcement drive.
