Eight individuals have been apprehended by the Crime Branch of Delhi Police for their alleged involvement in a counterfeit medicine scheme that is Rs. 100 Fungus Medicine for Rs. 2 Lakh as Cancer Injections. The arrested individuals include two staff members from a cancer hospital in Rohini. The group was reportedly involved in the production and distribution of counterfeit cancer drugs, which were sold at inflated prices. The syndicate's supplier was the last to be arrested on March 13. The charges against all eight individuals include fraud, forgery, selling contaminated drugs, and criminal conspiracy.
As per the reports, the group allegedly sold antifungal medication, originally priced at Rs 100, as 'life-saving' drugs. They repackaged these medicines in used vials and sold them for between Rs 1 lakh and Rs 3 lakh. The Delhi Police stated that this operation had been active for two years, during which they sold over 7,000 injections not only in India but also in China and the US.
The police also reported that the confiscated counterfeit medicines, which included seven international and two Indian brands, were valued at Rs 4 crore.
The police carried out raids at two apartments in Moti Nagar's DLF Capital Greens, where the counterfeit medicines were being produced. Viphil Jain, an employee at a medical shop, was identified as the mastermind behind the entire operation, with Suraj Shat assisting him.
Officials also conducted raids in Gurugram, where they recovered 197 empty vials, three cap-sealing machines, and one heat gun. Additionally, cash amounting to Rs 89 lakh and around $18,000 was also recovered.
From a flat in Gurugram, which belonged to another accused named Neeraj Chauhan, the Crime Branch seized an additional 519 empty vials and 864 packaging boxes, as reported by NDTV.
Chauhan, who had reportedly worked in the Oncology department at several hospitals, has been involved in the counterfeit medicine business since 2022. His cousin, a lab technician named Tushar, was also arrested for supplying counterfeit drugs. Another individual involved in the operation was Parvez, a former pharmacist who was responsible for arranging empty vials.
The two employees from the cancer hospital have been identified as Komal Tiwari and Abhinav Kohli.
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