Hyderabad: Task force sleuths raided the ‘Sony Gold Ginger Garlic Paste’ manufacturing unit in Old Bowenpalli and seized a large quantity of adulterated paste as well as rotten paste which was ready to be packed and supplied to the market.
Eight staff of the unit, including the manager, were arrested while the owner, Mohd Shakeel Ahmed, was on the run, police said.
Acting on reliable information, task force sleuths of the North Zone cell of Hyderabad city along with Bowenpally police station raided the unit located below Bowenpally police station on Sunday.
The accused manufactured the adulterated ginger-garlic paste under unhygienic conditions by mixing citric acid and storing it in plastic barrels for several days, causing it to rot. They then package the paste in labeled plastic containers and supply it to kirana shops and restaurants across the city.
YVS Sudheendra, deputy commissioner of police, task force, said they seized 1,500 kg of paste, 55 kg of citric acid, about 500 kg of putrid paste and machines used for grinding, mixing, weighing and packaging from the spot.
Police said Shakeel Ahmed had been running the department for the past few months and hired other defendants to hold various positions in the department. The other accused include Mohd Sameer Ansari, Mohd Gulfraz, Mohd Mukthaar, Ranjith Kumar, Monu Kumar, Birval Sah, Inayath and Mahesh Kumar.
