The Delhi Crime Branch has busted an alleged interstate racket involved in the illegal procurement, storage, repackaging and supply of expensive anti-cancer medicines, with 17 people arrested so far, officials said.
Police suspect that the racket was dealing not only in counterfeit medicines but also in anti-cancer drugs allegedly diverted from hospitals and government institutions.
The investigation also revealed that the accused allegedly reused old cartons and empty medicine boxes for repackaging. Police suspect that the racket was dealing not only in counterfeit medicines but also in anti-cancer drugs allegedly diverted from hospitals and government institutions. The medicines were then allegedly sold without valid bills, drug licences, purchase records or other mandatory documents. Police suspect that batch numbers, MRP details and other identifying information were deliberately removed or altered. Investigators have also found the alleged use of chemicals such as acetone for this purpose.
During raids and subsequent investigation, the Crime Branch recovered 588 filled anti-cancer drug vials, six empty vials, seven empty medicine boxes and 3,021 units of other medicines. The total estimated value of the seized medicines is around Rs 9 crore. Police also recovered around Rs 50 lakh in cash, along with mobile phones, electronic devices, packaging material and registers and diaries allegedly containing details of drug transactions and financial dealings.
Police said the drugs were concealed at different residential and other locations before being moved through intermediaries to buyers in different cities.
