LUCKNOW, May 16 -- The Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA) has cracked down on counterfeit medicines, dismantling several drug networks across Uttar Pradesh in the financial year 2024-25. The operation, hailed as the largest of its kind in the country, resulted in the seizure of fake medicines worth Rs 30.77 crore and the arrest of 68 individuals involved in illegal pharmaceutical activities, officials said on Thursday. On Wednesday, chief minister Yogi Adityanath had declared food adulteration and sale of fake medicines as "social crimes", calling for stringent action under the state's zero-tolerance policy. He had also called for displaying the photos of offenders at major intersections as a deterrent. The FSDA conducted 1,039 statewide raids in the financial year 2024-25 and collected 13,848 samples. The investigation led to the cancellation of licences of 1,166 drug dealers found to be non-compliant or linked to the illicit trade. Additionally, licences of six drug manufacturing companies and five blood banks were also revoked, officials said. The highest number of arrests and seizures were reported from Lucknow, Agra, and Ghaziabad where the authorities uncovered oxytocin injections, narcotic substances, and counterfeit cosmetic products. According to a state government spokesperson, the action was aimed at safeguarding public health and dismantling the network of organised drug mafia. The state government has decided to continue these efforts to ensure a safe and drug-free Uttar Pradesh, the spokesperson said. The crackdown was initiated following directives from chief minister Yogi Adityanath. In a recent review meeting, FSDA officials reported large-scale inspections -- 463 drug manufacturing units, 647 blood banks, and over 10,000 retail drug outlets were examined in 2024-25. Of the samples tested, 96 were confirmed to be fake and 497 were found to be substandard....