Racket Selling Counterfeit Cancer Drugs at Steep Discounts Uncovered in Delhi

A nationwide racket selling stolen and counterfeit cancer medicines at heavily discounted rates has been uncovered by investigators in New Delhi. The gang specifically targeted families facing severe financial distress from cancer treatments, offering costly life-saving drugs at a fraction of their standard market price.

According to investigators, medicines worth lakhs of rupees were sold at massive discounts of 60 to 70 percent. In one specific instance highlighted by authorities, a cancer drug with an original market price of about Rs 2 lakh per vial was offered and sold to patients' families for between Rs 70,000 and Rs 75,000. These deep price cuts were used to lure families who were struggling with the burdensome expenses of ongoing medical care.

Police said the operation relied heavily on business-to-business online marketplaces to advertise the cancer drugs at unusually low rates. In addition to online commercial portals, the accused actively promoted their inventory through WhatsApp statuses and various other informal communication channels to connect with prospective buyers.

The search for vulnerable customers extended well beyond the capital. Members of the racket travelled across the country to different cities and visited at least 10 to 15 cancer hospitals, looking directly for patients and families who were urgently seeking affordable treatment options.

The investigation into the syndicate revealed an organized supply chain with deep links close to medical facilities. The network allegedly involved former chemists, medical salespersons, and hospital ward boys who procured the medicines and supplied them to retail chemists operating near major hospitals.