Delhi Police Bust Alleged Rs 9 Crore Cancer Drug Racket; 17 Arrested
The Delhi Crime Branch has dismantled an alleged interstate network involved in the illegal procurement, storage, repackaging and supply of expensive anti-cancer medicines. Seventeen people have been arrested so far, officials said. The operation, based on intelligence inputs, spanned Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Hyderabad, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan.
According to investigators, the racket dealt in both counterfeit drugs and medicines allegedly diverted from hospitals and government institutions. During raids, police recovered 588 filled anti-cancer drug vials, six empty vials, seven empty medicine boxes and 3,021 units of other medicines. The estimated value of the seized medicines is around Rs 9 crore. Cash amounting to about Rs 50 lakh, along with mobile phones, electronic devices, packaging material and registers containing transaction details, was also seized.
Police said the syndicate had a structured supply chain. Members handled sourcing, storage, repackaging and distribution separately. Investigators identified three alleged sources of the medicines: counterfeit drugs procured through unauthorised channels, medicines removed from hospitals treating cancer patients, and drugs meant for government institutions that were diverted. The medicines were then sold without valid bills, drug licences or purchase records.
The accused allegedly reused old cartons and empty boxes for repackaging. Batch numbers, MRP details and other identifying information were removed or altered, sometimes using chemicals such as acetone. The repackaged medicines were packed in thermocol boxes, bubble wrap and polythene before being transported to different cities.
The Inter-State Cell of the Crime Branch received a tip-off on June 22, 2026. Investigators identified suspected locations in East Delhi, Rohini and Mumbai. On July 11, seven teams conducted simultaneous raids in Delhi and Navi Mumbai, in coordination with the Drugs Department and local police. The recovered drugs include expensive brands such as Darzalex, Imfinzi, Erbitux, Opdyta, Gazyva, Bavencio, Adcetris and Keytruda. An FIR was registered on July 12.
Among those arrested are Abhishek Vaishya and Shubham Kumar Chaudhary, both from Delhi's Laxmi Nagar. Police allege Vaishya had been procuring and supplying anti-cancer medicines through illegal channels since 2022. Registers, electronic devices, packaging material, medicines and Rs 4 lakh in cash were found at his premises. Chaudhary is accused of supplying medicines since 2023 through cash transactions without proper bills. Police recovered medicines and Rs 23 lakh in cash from him. His younger brother, Suraj Chaudhary, allegedly joined in 2024.
Gagan, a wholesale medicine trader from Ghaziabad, allegedly supplied medicines received from Satish Kumar to Vaishya. Satish Kumar, who previously worked as a medical store salesman for nearly a decade, is also among the accused. Authorities have not yet commented on the potential harm to patients who may have received these drugs. The investigation is ongoing.
