In a surprise raid conducted by the Madurai and Viridhunagar zones of Tamil Nadu Drugs Control Department has seized Rs 45,000 worth Drug Absorbent Gauze from an unlicensed manufacturer in Madurai. Earlier, the department has received information that an unlicensed person is manufacturing the surgical dressing.

The raid was conducted by drug inspectors of the offices of the assistant directors of Drugs Control, Madurai and Viridhunagar zones, said M Bhaskaran, Drugs Control Director of the State.

The director said an unlicensed manufacturer, Jeyamuthu Textiles, Chatrapatti, was producing the surgical dressing and he was detected. The sample of the product was sent for analysis as per the procedure prescribed under Drugs and Cosmetics Act.

The drug inspectors have seized 300 Packets of surgical Gauze Cloth, 48 cut pieces of Bleached Gauze Cloth kept ready for packing, polythene covers and labels of other companies from Jeyamuthu Textiles. He said the manufacturer's action was a contravention of section 18 (C) of drugs and cosmetics act 1940.

The authorities have obtained an order to conduct raid and seize the illegal product from the chief judicial magistrate at Srivilliputhur. Further investigation is going on, the drugs controller said.