New Delhi, August 20:The Delhi Police Crime Branch has busted an inter-state syndicate allegedly involved in the illegal procurement, diversion, storage and sale of counterfeit and illegally obtained high-value anti-cancer medicines, arresting 17 people and recovering medicines estimated to be worth around Rs 9 crore, officials said.

The arrests were made by the Inter-State Cell of the Crime Branch following an investigation into an organised network operating across Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and other locations.

Police said the accused included medicine traders, intermediaries and individuals working in hospitals. Several of them allegedly played a role in diverting anti-cancer medicines intended for cancer patients and supplying them to other members of the network.

During the investigation, police recovered 588 filled anti-cancer medicine vials, six empty vials, seven empty medicine boxes and 3,021 units of other medicines. Around Rs 50 lakh in cash, along with electronic devices, registers, diaries and packaging material, was also seized.

A major recovery was made from accused Anand Kumar, from whose possession and premises police recovered 337 anti-cancer vials and a large quantity of other medicines. Another accused, Deepak alias Ravi, was allegedly found in possession of 108 vials and Rs 6.50 lakh at his residence.

The case was registered at the Crime Branch police station on July 12 under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. According to police, the investigation began after they received specific information on June 22 about an organised syndicate allegedly involved in procuring, storing and supplying counterfeit and high-value anti-cancer medicines on a large scale.

During verification, investigators identified several suspected locations in East Delhi, Rohini and Mumbai. On July 11, seven teams of the Inter-State Cell conducted simultaneous raids at multiple locations in Delhi and Navi Mumbai in coordination with the Drugs Department and local police.

The raids led to the recovery of several expensive anti-cancer medicines, including Darzalex, Imfinzi, Erbitux, Opdyta, Gazyva, Bavencio, Adcetris and Keytruda.

Three Channels Used to Procure Medicines

According to investigators, the syndicate allegedly obtained the medicines through three primary channels: counterfeit medicines sourced from unauthorised suppliers; medicines diverted or misappropriated from hospitals; and medicines allegedly diverted from government institutions and warehouses.

Police said the medicines were procured without valid invoices, purchase records, drug licences or other mandatory documentation. They were allegedly stored at residential and other locations before being distributed through a network of intermediaries.

Investigators also found that original cartons and empty medicine boxes were allegedly retained and reused for repackaging. Batch numbers, Maximum Retail Price (MRP) details and other identifying markings were reportedly removed using chemicals such as acetone in an attempt to conceal the source and identity of the medicines.

Thermocol boxes, bubble rolls, adhesive tape and polythene were allegedly used to prepare consignments. Police also recovered registers and diaries containing details of medicine transactions and cash dealings.

The investigation is continuing, with police working to trace the complete supply and distribution network, identify the end beneficiaries and examine the financial trail linked to the alleged racket.

Police said further arrests and recoveries are likely as the investigation progresses.

Inter-State Anti-Cancer Drug Racket Busted in Delhi; 17 Arrested, Medicines Worth Rs 9 Crore Seized

New Delhi, August 20:The Delhi Police Crime Branch has busted an inter-state syndicate allegedly involved in the illegal procurement, diversion, storage and sale of counterfeit and illegally obtained high-value anti-cancer medicines, arresting 17 people and recovering medicines estimated to be worth around Rs 9 crore, officials said.

The arrests were made by the Inter-State Cell of the Crime Branch following an investigation into an organised network operating across Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and other locations.

Police said the accused included medicine traders, intermediaries and individuals working in hospitals. Several of them allegedly played a role in diverting anti-cancer medicines intended for cancer patients and supplying them to other members of the network.

During the investigation, police recovered 588 filled anti-cancer medicine vials, six empty vials, seven empty medicine boxes and 3,021 units of other medicines. Around Rs 50 lakh in cash, along with electronic devices, registers, diaries and packaging material, was also seized.

A major recovery was made from accused Anand Kumar, from whose possession and premises police recovered 337 anti-cancer vials and a large quantity of other medicines. Another accused, Deepak alias Ravi, was allegedly found in possession of 108 vials and Rs 6.50 lakh at his residence.

The case was registered at the Crime Branch police station on July 12 under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. According to police, the investigation began after they received specific information on June 22 about an organised syndicate allegedly involved in procuring, storing and supplying counterfeit and high-value anti-cancer medicines on a large scale.

During verification, investigators identified several suspected locations in East Delhi, Rohini and Mumbai. On July 11, seven teams of the Inter-State Cell conducted simultaneous raids at multiple locations in Delhi and Navi Mumbai in coordination with the Drugs Department and local police.

The raids led to the recovery of several expensive anti-cancer medicines, including Darzalex, Imfinzi, Erbitux, Opdyta, Gazyva, Bavencio, Adcetris and Keytruda.

Three Channels Used to Procure Medicines

According to investigators, the syndicate allegedly obtained the medicines through three primary channels: counterfeit medicines sourced from unauthorised suppliers; medicines diverted or misappropriated from hospitals; and medicines allegedly diverted from government institutions and warehouses.

Police said the medicines were procured without valid invoices, purchase records, drug licences or other mandatory documentation. They were allegedly stored at residential and other locations before being distributed through a network of intermediaries.

Investigators also found that original cartons and empty medicine boxes were allegedly retained and reused for repackaging. Batch numbers, Maximum Retail Price (MRP) details and other identifying markings were reportedly removed using chemicals such as acetone in an attempt to conceal the source and identity of the medicines.

Thermocol boxes, bubble rolls, adhesive tape and polythene were allegedly used to prepare consignments. Police also recovered registers and diaries containing details of medicine transactions and cash dealings.

The investigation is continuing, with police working to trace the complete supply and distribution network, identify the end beneficiaries and examine the financial trail linked to the alleged racket.

Police said further arrests and recoveries are likely as the investigation progresses.