The JR Puram police in Srikakulam district have arrested eight individuals, including employees of pharmaceutical companies, in connection with the theft of approximately 450 grams of Semaglutide powder — an anti-diabetic medication — valued at over Rs 2 crore. The theft occurred at Dr Reddy’s Laboratories warehouse in Pydibheemavaram.
The accused include Dronadulu Suresh (31), Gajula Venkata Raghavendra (33), N Appala Naidu (28), Gollapalli Kantarao (35), Guntaka Suresh Reddy (40), Ajmeera Tirupathi (32), Kalluri Balakrishna (33), and B Naveen Kumar (33). Several of them hold positions as chemists or analysts at Dr Reddy’s Labs and other pharma companies in Hyderabad.
Srikakulam Police Chief KV Maheswara Reddy stated that the Semaglutide powder was produced on February 17, 2025, and stored in a freezer room at the warehouse. The theft was discovered on February 23, 2025. Additionally, an audit revealed that 3.38 kgs of Palladium Acetate, valued at over Rs 60 lakh, had been stolen in May from the production unit warehouse.
Semaglutide is used to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity for long-term weight management.
