In a major crackdown, authorities have busted a massive syndicate involved in manufacturing synthetic milk using hazardous chemicals. The racket, which had been operational for the last five years, was producing liquid that resembled milk but was actually a concoction of detergent powder, urea, refined oil, and white coloring agents.

The business, which started on a small scale, had flourished into a multi-crore enterprise over the past few years. Acting on a tip-off, police raided a facility disguised as a dairy farm and found drums of chemicals used for processing the fake milk. Health experts warn that prolonged consumption of such synthetic milk can lead to permanent damage to the liver and kidneys, and can be fatal for children. The police have seized the equipment and arrested the mastermind along with several accomplices. Samples have been sent for forensic testing to determine the full extent of the toxicity.