The crime branch has dismantled an interstate syndicate involved in the manufacture and distribution of counterfeit life-saving medicines. Four key operatives were arrested following a raid in north Delhi’s Mukherjee Nagar, and a large cache of pharmaceutical products and equipment was seized.
Syndicate's Modus Operandi
The syndicate was allegedly diverting government-supplied medicines from Uttar Pradesh and other states, removing original labels, and repackaging them for illegal sale across Delhi-NCR and parts of northeastern India. The accused have been identified as Manoj Kumar Jain (56), Raju Kumar Mishra (57), Vikram Singh (32), and Vatan (35).
Raids and Recoveries
Special Commissioner of Police (Crime) Devesh Chandra Srivastva formed a team under DCP Pankaj Kumar. Acting on intelligence regarding the circulation of spurious government-supplied drugs, the crime branch uncovered the group. A raid at a premises in Mukherjee Nagar led to the arrest of Manoj Kumar Jain and the recovery of a substantial quantity of branded and government-supplied medicines, suspected spurious drugs, raw materials, packaging and labeling material, and machinery used for repackaging. The recovered stock included critical medicines such as Albucel (human albumin), Lenvacast 4, Abhayrab Rabies vaccine, Lenvatol, and snake venom antiserum, all used in the treatment of life-threatening conditions.
“Jain was identified as the kingpin of the racket. Originally engaged in construction work in Manipur, he later moved to Delhi and, along with associates, began illegal manufacturing and repackaging of medicines nearly a year and a half ago from Mukherjee Nagar,” said Joint CP Surender Kumar.
Distribution Network
Jain is said to have sourced government-supplied drugs, altered their packaging, and circulated them across Delhi, West Bengal, and northeastern states. Mishra allegedly started a mask and glove business during COVID-19, later shifting to trading third-party medicines and establishing a unit in Punjab’s Derabassi, where counterfeit human albumin was allegedly produced. He is also said to have linked with Jain for distribution in northeastern regions.
Singh, a lab technician running a diagnostics center in UP’s Prayagraj, allegedly leveraged his proximity to a hospital to identify surplus government medicines. He later collaborated with Vatan, a surgical supply trader, to procure and resell such stocks. Vatan, who initially ran a PPE-related business during the pandemic, transitioned into surgical supplies and allegedly became part of the procurement network.
Structured Supply Chain
Investigators also found that the syndicate operated a structured supply chain in which medicines were transported to Mukherjee Nagar for relabeling or illicit manufacturing, and distributed through networks spanning Delhi, Kolkata, Guwahati, Imphal, and other locations. Preliminary findings also indicate the possible use of hawala channels for routing proceeds, with a detailed financial probe underway.
