Maharashtra's Food and Drug Administration has issued a show cause notice to a pharmaceutical company here for alleged illegal export of opioids, an official said on Sunday.

Following the Central government's directives on Friday, a joint team of drug inspectors from the Centre and state government raided Aveo Pharmaceuticals, a Palghar-based company allegedly involved in exporting these drugs, the FDA stated in a release.

Aveo Pharmaceuticals, however, has denied the allegations and said it is fully cooperating with the government authorities in the probe.

As per a statement issued by the FDA, the action was taken after the BBC's investigative report highlighted that Tapentadol and Carisoprodol manufactured in India were illegally exported to African countries, where they are misused for recreational purposes.

Authorities have seized all existing stock in the company, prohibited further production, and initiated stringent legal action against the company in Palghar, the FDA said. 

The company has been served a show cause notice under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act 1940, and officials have assured that all necessary legal measures will be taken without any delay, fear, or favour.

A spokesperson of Aveo Pharmaceuticals said the company has always adhered to the rules and regulations set by various regulatory authorities to manufacture and export its products.

"Tafrodol is our registered trademark, which contains both Tapentadol and Carisoprodol.

This combination is licensed by the relevant State Food and Drug Administration and is exported under the necessary No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Assistant Drug Controllers (ADC) and with an export licence issued by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO)," he said.