Delhi Police Bust Spurious Cancer Drug Racket, Arrest 6 in Multiple Raids.
Author: Dr. Jipson Lawrance JReporter: സ്വന്തം ലേഖകൻ 05-Jun-2025
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In a major breakthrough, the Delhi Police Crime Branch has dismantled a well-coordinated racket allegedly involved in the sale of counterfeit, unauthorised, and unregistered cancer drugs. Acting on intelligence, officers carried out simultaneous raids at three different locations — Laxmi Nagar, Budh Vihar, and Chandni Chowk — resulting in the arrest of six individuals and the seizure of spurious drugs worth several lakhs of rupees.
According to senior officials, the syndicate specifically targeted cancer patients through social media platforms, where desperate individuals often sought affordable treatment options. The accused lured victims by offering costly cancer medications at heavily discounted prices under the guise of “festive offers.”
At a raid in Laxmi Nagar, police arrested Neeraj Kumar (23) and Anil Kumar (30), employees of a pharmaceutical firm, who were caught with five fake Opdivo injections, which lacked crucial importer information. In another raid at Budh Vihar, Dhanesh Sharma (23) and Dheeraj Kumar were held with multiple boxes of Cetuximab, Lenvatinib, and Opdivo injections. Meanwhile, in Chandni Chowk’s well-known Bhagirath Palace market, Rohit Bhatti (24) and Jyoti Grover (52) were caught red-handed with a large stock of counterfeit medicines.
The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) later confirmed that the seized drugs were not authorised for sale in India, further validating the severity of the offense.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime Branch) Vikram Singh revealed that the investigation led to the identification of the racket’s alleged mastermind, Naveen Arya, a known offender who had previously been jailed for similar crimes. “After securing bail, Arya reactivated the illegal network due to the high profit margins involved. The accused were selling these fake cancer medications at prices ranging from ₹50,000 to ₹70,000, significantly lower than their legitimate market rates of ₹1.5 to ₹2 lakh,” Singh stated.
Police believe Arya, who is still at large, procured counterfeit drugs from illicit suppliers and distributed them through a network of associates who exploited cancer patients online. Digital forensics from mobile devices seized during the raids suggest that the accused had established connections with multiple victims across India via social media groups and forums where appeals for affordable cancer medication are common.
A total of 66 counterfeit drug items have been recovered. Authorities are currently working to identify and reach out to the affected patients.
A case has been filed under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for adulteration, sale of fake drugs, cheating, conspiracy, and endangering human life.
With the alleged kingpin still absconding, the Crime Branch continues its probe into what appears to be one of the largest counterfeit cancer drug operations uncovered in the capital in recent times.