Ahmedabad Police Seize Fake L’Oréal, Matrix Cosmetics Worth Rs 6.90 Lakh; Arrests Two

Ahmedabad: The Special Operations Group (SOG) of Ahmedabad police has uncovered a suspected counterfeit cosmetics racket, seizing 1,221 products bearing L’Oréal and Matrix branding, collectively valued at Rs 6.90 lakh, from two shops on Gheekanta Road.

Acting on a complaint, the SOG raided My Beauty Center near Panchbhai ni Pol and Lakshmi Beauty Shop near Panchu Miya na Dahela on Thursday.

At My Beauty Center, police seized 775 products worth Rs 4.44 lakh from 30-year-old Yash Prabhulal Thakkar. The seized stock included hair colours, shampoos, hair masks, serums, developer creams and neutralising creams.

At Lakshmi Beauty Shop, police recovered another 446 products valued at Rs 2.46 lakh from 29-year-old Rishabh Rajendra Agrawal, who was present at the counter.

Samples of the seized products were collected for laboratory testing. The seizure has raised concerns over consumer safety, as counterfeit cosmetics containing unverified ingredients can potentially cause skin irritation and allergic reactions.

Mumbai supply links under scanner

During preliminary questioning, Thakkar reportedly told investigators that he had procured the products from Dinesh, proprietor of Navya Enterprises at Mumbai’s Crawford Market, through a transport service three days earlier. He also named a supplier associated with Krishna Enterprises in Ahmedabad’s Naranpura area as a previous source.

Agrawal reportedly told police that he had purchased the products from Vijay, proprietor of R K Beauty at Crawford Market, during a visit to Mumbai around 12 days earlier. He, too, identified Krishna Enterprises as a previous supplier.

The FIR names five accused, including the two shopkeepers, the Mumbai-based suppliers and the unidentified owner of Krishna Enterprises. DeshGujarat