Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Aug 20: The Delhi Police Crime Branch has busted an interstate syndicate allegedly involved in the sale of counterfeit and illegally diverted expensive cancer medicines, arresting 17 people and recovering drugs and other material worth around Rs 9 crore.
The operation uncovered a suspected supply network spread across Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and other states. Police also recovered nearly Rs 50 lakh in cash from locations linked to the syndicate.
According to the Crime Branch, investigators recovered 588 filled vials of anti-cancer medicines, six empty vials, seven empty medicine boxes and 3,021 units of other medicines. Electronic devices, diaries, registers and materials allegedly used to repackage medicines were also seized.
The expensive cancer medicines recovered include Darzalex, Imfinzi, Erbitux, Opdyta, Gazyva, Bavencio, Adcetris and Keytruda. Police estimated the total value of the recovered medicines and other material at around Rs 9 crore.
The Crime Branch received information about the alleged syndicate on June 22, 2026. During the investigation, suspected locations in East Delhi, Rohini and Mumbai were identified.
Simultaneous raids in Delhi, Navi Mumbai
On July 11, the Crime Branch formed seven teams and conducted simultaneous raids at multiple locations in Delhi and Navi Mumbai in coordination with the Drugs Department and local police.
Further interrogation of those arrested allegedly revealed the syndicate's wider interstate supply chain. An FIR was registered at the Crime Branch police station in Delhi on July 12.
Medicines sourced through three channels
Investigators found that the syndicate allegedly procured expensive cancer medicines through three major channels.
According to police, the accused purchased counterfeit medicines from unauthorised sources, diverted or stole medicines stored in hospitals for cancer patients, and illegally diverted medicines supplied through government institutions and warehouses before introducing them into the black market.
The investigation also found that the medicines were allegedly bought and sold without valid invoices, purchase records or drug licences.
Police said the medicines were stored at houses and other locations before being passed through several intermediaries. Old cartons and empty medicine boxes were allegedly used to repackage the drugs.
Investigators also found that batch numbers, maximum retail prices and other identifying marks were allegedly removed using chemicals such as acetone. Thermocol boxes, bubble wrap, tape and polythene were reportedly used to pack the medicines for transportation.
Diaries and registers containing details of cash transactions and financial dealings were also recovered.
17 accused arrested
The 17 arrested accused have been identified as Abhishek Vaishya, Shubham Kumar Chaudhary and Suraj Chaudhary of Laxmi Nagar, Delhi; Gagan of Indirapuram, Ghaziabad; Satish Kumar of Govindpuri, Delhi; Mukesh and Mayank Garg of Gurugram; Ayush Kumar of Navi Mumbai; Vishwas Tyagi of Ghaziabad; Paramjeet Sheoran of Jhajjar, Haryana; Anand Kumar of Noida; Srinivasulu Kalva, Ramdas Satish Kumar and Malugari Srinath Reddy of Hyderabad; Deepak alias Ravi and Jaswant Sharma of Faridabad; and Manish Sharma of Alwar, Rajasthan.
Hospital staff suspected of involvement
The investigation has also revealed the alleged involvement of hospital employees and people associated with medical stores.
In Hyderabad, investigators found that cancer medicines meant for patients were allegedly diverted from a hospital. In Faridabad, the role of nursing staff associated with the oncology department of a hospital has also emerged.
One of the arrested accused was allegedly working as a nursing in-charge at a hospital, while another had previously worked as a personal assistant to an oncologist.
In Alwar, an accused was allegedly involved in diverting anti-cancer injections that had been stored at a hospital for patients.
Cash, medicines and repackaging material seized
The Crime Branch has so far recovered 588 filled vials of anti-cancer medicines, six empty vials, seven empty medicine boxes and 3,021 units of other medicines.
Nearly Rs 50 lakh in cash, electronic devices, registers, diaries and materials allegedly used to repackage the medicines were also recovered.
Police are now working to identify other members of the alleged syndicate, trace the original sources of the medicines and map the complete distribution network.
Investigators are also trying to identify the final buyers and beneficiaries who allegedly received the medicines. The financial trail, including cash transactions and the wider money network of the syndicate, is being examined.
Police said further arrests and recoveries are likely as the investigation progresses.
The latest crackdown comes amid growing concern over counterfeit and illegally diverted cancer medicines, which can pose serious risks to patients. Delhi had earlier witnessed another alleged fake cancer drug racket in which medicines reportedly purchased for around Rs 100 were sold for as much as Rs 3 lakh.