According to investigating officer, Gajra was the brain behind the racket, while the rest were commission agents responsible for disposing of the spurious oil in various parts of western India.

The Goan police stumbled upon the case late last year and arrested one Vernekar in Panaji for selling spurious engine oil. Early this week, Goa police personnel approached Arvind Malekatti in Dadar posing as buyers. The trail led to Parel and Ghatkopar, where the spurious oil was filled into old Castrol tins and despatched elsewhere.

Police officials say the accused sent at least one truckload of spurious oil to Goa every month. The profit margins amounted to 300 per cent, say police.Castrol has set up a special investigative cell to crack downon those selling spurious products under its brand names.