Daijiworld Media Network – Kolar
Kolar, Jan 18: Kolar Gold Fields (KGF) police have arrested eight individuals involved in producing and distributing adulterated milk, including under the Nandini brand owned by Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF), during a late-night raid that also saw seizure of raw materials and equipment used in the illegal operation.
The arrested accused are Venkateshappa (50), Balaji (35), Dilip (25), Balraj (33), Manohar (28), Kartik (29), Manoj (22), and Manjunath (55).
Authorities discovered a garden house on the outskirts of Balligere village, KGF, where counterfeit milk was being manufactured using palm oil and chemical additives.
Investigations revealed that 1 litre of the mixture could produce 20 litres of fake milk, which was supplied to dairies in Betamangala and nearby areas.
“The accused were producing adulterated milk under the Nandini brand and other labels,” said KGF SP Shivanshu Rajput.
“During the raid, we seized 350 packets of 500 gm Nandini milk powder, 40 packets of 1 kg milk powder, 12 millet milk laddus, 7 packets of 500 gm jaggery, 900 packets of palm oil, two mixers, 51 milk cans of 38 litres each, and two vehicles used for distribution,” he said.
Police are also investigating how milk powder meant for Nandini’s external sales and nutritional packets for Anganwadi centres ended up with the accused, and whether any government officials were involved.
The operation was conducted in the presence of DySP Lakshmiah, circle inspector P M Naveen, and officer Markondayya.