• Source:JND
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The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday conducted searches at locations connected to Sresan Pharmaceuticals,the maker of Coldrif cough syrup, which has been linked to child deaths in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan as well as at the homes of senior officials from the Tamil Nadu Food and Drug Administration (FDA), according to PTI sources.

As part of its money laundering probe under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), the ED covered at least seven sites in Chennai.

The raids also included the residences of high-ranking officials from Tamil Nadu’s drug regulatory department.

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The owner, G Ranganathan, of Tamil Nadu-based Sresan Pharma Company was arrested by Madhya Pradesh and Tamil Nadu police last week while two state drug inspectors were suspended by the Tamil Nadu government. G Ranganathan, was arrested by Madhya Pradesh Police on October 9.

The Tamil Nadu government had ordered the closure of the firm after the spurious cough syrup Coldrif claimed many lives in Madhya Pradesh, announced that it would soon decide on permanently cancelling the company’s licence.

Licensed in 2011 by the Tamil Nadu Food and Drug Administration (TNFDA), the Kanchipuram-based Sresan Pharma continued operations unchecked for over a decade despite its dismal infrastructure and multiple violations of national drug safety rules, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has said.

The cough syrup was found to be "dangerously" adulterated with diethylene glycol (DEG), a highly poisonous substance.

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As many as 20 children from Madhya Pradesh died after consuming the alleged toxic cough syrup made in Sresan pharma company.

ED officials said they have launched a money laundering probe into the matter based on the police investigation and will look into the finances of the company and others.

Officials added that Ranganthan will also be questioned after taking his custody from the Madhya Pradesh police.

( With Inputs from PTI )