Spurious cancer drug racket busted, 6 arrested in 3 raids: Delhi Police

In Laxmi Nagar, Neeraj Kumar (23) and Anil Kumar (30) from a pharmaceutical firm were arrested with five counterfeit Opdivo injections lacking importer details.

In Budh Vihar, police said Dhanesh Sharma (23) and Dheeraj Kumar were found with three boxes of Cetuximab, six Opdivo injections, and three boxes of Lenvatinib.

In Chandni Chowk’s Bhag-irath Palace, Rohit Bhatti (24) and Jyoti Grover (52) were arrested with a large haul of spurious medicines.

Drug inspectors from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation confirmed these drugs were unauthorised for sale in India.

“During the inquiry, it was found that the owner of a shop (in Chandni Chowk), Naveen Arya, is the kingpin of the racket. He remained behind bars for about three months in a similar case. After he got out on bail, he activated this syndicate, as the profit margin is very high. The drugs, valued at several lakhs of rupees, were sealed as evidence. The accused were selling these counterfeit medications at discounted rates, exploiting vulnerable cancer patients and endangering their lives,” said DCP (Crime Branch) Vikram Singh.

Arya is yet to be arrested.

Police said their investigation revealed that the syndicate sourced the counterfeit drugs at low prices from illicit suppliers and sold them to unsuspecting patients at rates between Rs 50,000 to Rs 70,000 — far below the market value of Rs 1.5 to Rs 2 lakh. The accused allegedly admitted to exploiting desperate patients by offering counterfeit drugs marked as ‘Not for Sale in India’, said police.

Technical analysis of seized mobile phones showed the accused were connected to multiple victims through social media groups, where patients often posted appeals for affordable medication. The Crime Branch is working to identify and contact affected victims, said police.

A total of 66 spurious drug items were seized. A case has been registered under sections 276 (adulteration of drugs), 277 (sale of adulterated drugs), 278 (sale of drug as a different drug or preparation), 318(4) (cheating), 61(2) (criminal conspiracy), and 3(5) (common intent) of the BNS, police said.