Bengaluru: As many as 90 people have been arrested in the State for selling Remdesivir in the black market, Director General of Police Praveen Sood said.

The antiviral drug is used in the treatment of COVID-19.

In a tweet, he said “Ninety people have been arrested for selling Remdesivir in the black market and cases booked against 38 persons for packaging fake Remdesivir so far” without mentioning the period during which they were arrested. He said the arrests were part of a drive to nab those trying to earn money illegally “in this tough situation.”

Demand has shot up for Remdesivir in Karnataka following the spike in the number of cases.

Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa had warned of stringent action against those selling Remdesivir in the black market.