KARACHI, May 18: An illegal factory producing spurious cold drinks and mineral water was sealed in Malir by the town administration late on Wednesday night.

The action was taken on complaints that an illegal unit producing and processing mineral water in the residential area of Malir’s F South Area in UC-5 Jafar Tayyar Union Council was producing spurious cold drinks of various brands and thus playing with the health of citizens.

During the raid conducted by the town administration, 26 crates of cold drinks of various unregistered brands and 250 crates of mineral water bottles were seized and the machinery taken into possession. Moreover, 12 crates of 1.5 litre bottles were also seized.

The authorities have ordered the immediate arrest of the factory owner, who had escaped during the raid.

The town authorities said no illegal activity would be allowed in the town, and those indulging in such activities would be dealt with strictly.

The illegal factory, located in a house No D-42 in Jinnah Colony was producing duplicate drinks of some branded beverages, such as Gold Spot, Lemon, Fresh Orange, Fresh Cola, Slice and New Muslim Cola.

A case has been registered against the owner of the factory, Mr Yunus, the Town Nazim, Ansar Sheikh, told Dawn.

The DO (Food Control), Shaukat Zaman, Town Municipal Officer Munawwar Ali, nazim of UC-2 Khursheed Iqbal were present during the raid.

At least three water thieves have been were arrested during the last few days supplying unhygienic water to households in cans.—Zaheer Ahmed Khan