Delhi police bust “govt supply not for sale” medicine racket, ₹70 lakh stock seized

An organised racket involved in the illegal diversion and sale of government-supplied medicines has been busted by the Delhi Police Crime Branch, with drugs worth approximately ₹70 lakh seized and five accused arrested, according to reports. The medicines, meant for free distribution in public hospitals, were allegedly being siphoned off and sold in the open market through a well-coordinated network.

According to reports, the operation was carried out following specific intelligence inputs, leading to a raid in the Tis Hazari area where three accused were caught transporting a large consignment in vehicles. The seized medicines were clearly labelled “GOVT. SUPPLY NOT FOR SALE,” indicating their diversion from official supply chains into illegal circulation.

During interrogation, investigators uncovered that the racket had been operational for over a year, with a network of brokers facilitating distribution across multiple cities, according to reports. Further investigation led to the arrest of two additional accused, including a pharmacist and a contractual helper associated with a government hospital, who allegedly manipulated stock records to siphon off medicines.

The recovered stock includes critical and high-value drugs such as antibiotics and life-saving injections, raising concerns about the impact on public healthcare services. According to reports, the main accused functioned as a wholesale distributor, while others managed transportation and internal diversion from hospital inventories.

Police have seized the medicines and vehicles used in the operation and registered a case, with further investigations underway to trace financial links and identify other members involved. Officials said the crackdown highlights ongoing efforts to prevent misuse of government resources and ensure essential medicines reach intended beneficiaries.