Delhi Police Unearth Rs 9-Crore Cancer Drug Scam, Arrest 17 In Major Crackdown

The Delhi Crime Branch has busted an alleged interstate racket involved in the illegal procurement, storage, repackaging and distribution of expensive anti-cancer medicines, with 17 people arrested so far, officials said. Investigators suspect the network was operating across several states and may have been dealing in both counterfeit medicines and genuine drugs allegedly diverted from hospitals and government institutions.

The suspected network reportedly extended across Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Hyderabad, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. According to investigators, the operation involved multiple stages, including sourcing medicines, storing them at different locations, repackaging them and supplying them through an illegal distribution network. The exact role of each of the arrested suspects is being examined as part of the investigation.

Crime Branch teams recovered a substantial quantity of medicines during raids and the subsequent investigation. The seizures included 588 filled anti-cancer drug vials, six empty vials, seven empty medicine boxes and 3,021 units of other medicines. Police have estimated the total value of the recovered medicines at around Rs 9 crore.

The discovery of empty vials and medicine boxes has also raised questions about whether some medicines were being repackaged or relabelled before being supplied to customers. Investigators are examining the seized material to determine the origin and authenticity of the medicines and establish whether counterfeit products were mixed with genuine drugs in the alleged racket.

Police also recovered around Rs 50 lakh in cash during the operation. Mobile phones, electronic devices, packaging material, registers and diaries were among the other items seized. Investigators believe the records could provide important information about the alleged transactions, suppliers, buyers and financial dealings associated with the network.

The suspected diversion of anti-cancer medicines from hospitals and government institutions is another major focus of the probe. Such medicines can be extremely expensive and are often supplied through regulated channels, making any unauthorised diversion a serious concern. Police are investigating whether medicines meant for patients through legitimate healthcare systems were instead being redirected into the alleged illegal market.

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The interstate nature of the network has added complexity to the investigation. With suspected links spanning multiple cities and states, investigators are examining communication records, financial transactions and documents recovered during the raids to identify other people who may have been involved. The authorities are also working to establish how the medicines moved between different locations.

The seized registers and diaries could prove particularly significant as investigators attempt to reconstruct the alleged supply chain. Details recorded in such documents may help police trace the movement of medicines and identify additional suppliers, distributors or purchasers connected to the operation. The case also raises concerns about the risks posed by the illegal sale of medicines, particularly drugs used in cancer treatment.

Counterfeit or improperly stored medicines can potentially compromise patient safety, while unauthorised repackaging can make it difficult for consumers and healthcare providers to establish a product's authenticity and origin. The 17 arrests mark a major step in the Crime Branch's investigation, but police are expected to continue questioning the suspects and analysing the seized evidence. Investigators will also seek to determine whether the alleged racket had additional members operating in other locations.

Authorities are now examining the full extent of the operation, including the source of the medicines, their intended destinations and the financial network behind the alleged trade. The recovery of medicines valued at around Rs 9 crore, along with cash and transaction records, has given investigators substantial material to examine as they work to uncover the complete network.

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