Delhi: 17 arrested in alleged counterfeit cancer medicine network

Seventeen people have been arrested after Delhi Police’s Crime Branch said it uncovered an alleged network dealing in diverted and counterfeit anti-cancer medicines across several cities.

Deputy commissioner of police (Crime) Aditya Gautam said seven teams carried out simultaneous raids in Delhi and Navi Mumbai on July 11, working with drug department officials and local police. Officers recovered medicines including Darzalex, Imfinzi, Erbitux, Opdyta, Gazyva, Bavencio, Adcetris and Keytruda.

Police said they seized 588 filled anti-cancer medicine vials, six empty vials, seven empty medicine boxes and 3,021 units of other high-value medicines. The total value of the medicines was put at about ₹9 crore; ₹50 lakh cash was also recovered.

The network allegedly operated through intermediaries in Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and cities in Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. Police allege medicines meant for cancer patients were diverted from hospitals, while government-supplied stock was sourced from institutions and warehouses. Investigators said cartons and empty boxes were reused for repackaging, and identifying markings were removed with chemicals. They are trying to identify suppliers linked to hospitals and warehouses.