New Delhi, April 10 (IANS) The Crime Branch of Delhi Police has busted a racket involving the storage and sale of expired food and cosmetic products, arresting one accused and seizing a huge cache of items posing serious health risks to consumers, officials said on Friday.

The accused has been identified as Abdul Mannan Khan, alias Monu (34), a resident of Bijwasan in southwest Delhi.

According to officials, the operation was carried out by the Central Range of the Crime Branch following specific Intelligence inputs received on April 8 about a shop near Kapashera Border allegedly selling expired products at discounted prices.

Acting on the tip-off, a team led by Inspector Yashendra Singh under the supervision of ACP Satendra Mohan conducted a raid after deploying decoy customers. The customers purchased food items from the shop, which were later found to be expired.

“During the raid, a large quantity of expired food items and cosmetics were recovered from the premises. The accused was apprehended on the spot,” a senior officer said.

Officials from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India were called to inspect the site, and samples were collected for testing. A customer present at the shop also complained that she had purchased food items a day earlier, which turned out to be expired.

A case has been registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Food Safety and Standards Act at the Crime Branch police station.

Police said the accused had adopted a systematic modus operandi to run the illegal trade. He allegedly procured expired, near-expiry or damaged food and cosmetic products from various sources at throwaway prices and sold them to unsuspecting customers at discounted rates to increase sales and earn quick profits.

The seized items included Maida and Sooji of popular brands, poha, rawa, spices, peanut butter, baby food supplements, pulses, dairy products, and a wide range of cosmetic and personal care items.

Officials said that grocery items weighing around 900 kg were seized, while nearly 2,000 kg of dairy products, including curd and cheese, were destroyed as per prescribed procedures in the presence of food safety officials.

Police further revealed that Khan, who was educated up to Class 2, had earlier worked as a street vegetable vendor. During that time, he came into contact with warehouse personnel, which exposed him to the illegal trade of expired and near-expiry goods. He later started his own shop to sell such products as genuine items.

“The accused knowingly sold expired products, thereby cheating consumers and posing serious health hazards,” the officer added.

Further investigation in the case is underway, police said.

–IANS

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