New Delhi, April 5 (NationPress) The Delhi Police has successfully dismantled an elaborate scheme involved in the illegal distribution and sale of government-provided medications intended for free delivery in public hospitals, as reported by officials on Sunday.

The Crime Branch apprehended five individuals linked to the operation and confiscated a stock of medicines valued at approximately Rs 70 lakh, alongside two vehicles utilized for transport.

As per police reports, the operation was executed by the NR-II team of the Crime Branch under the leadership of ACP Girish Kaushik and Inspector Neeraj Sharma, following pivotal information gathered by Sub-Inspector Pritam Chand.

The initial suspects identified were Neerej Kumar (53) and Sushil Kumar (47), both hailing from Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh, and Laxman Mukhia (48), a Delhi resident. They were intercepted on April 2 near Rajendra Market in Tis Hazari while transporting a significant load of medicines in a Mahindra Champion tempo and a Baleno car.

According to the police, the seized medications were distinctly labeled “Government Supply Not For Sale,” signifying their unlawful diversion into the commercial market.

During extensive questioning, Neerej Kumar revealed that he had been running the illegal supply chain for approximately one to one-and-a-half years, acquiring medicines through a network of insiders and distributing them to various cities through brokers.

Following his disclosure, two additional suspects—Binesh Kumar (54), a pharmacist and storekeeper at Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital, and Prakash Mehto (30), a contractual worker at the same facility—were arrested.

Investigations indicated that these two were instrumental in diverting medications from hospital stock by manipulating records and facilitating illegal sales. Mehto reportedly acted as a middleman, managing extraction, storage, and financial transactions, including UPI payments, in exchange for commissions.

The confiscated stock comprised a substantial quantity of high-value antibiotics and critical care medications, including Cefixime, Amoxycillin with Clavulanate, Ceftriaxone, Ceftazidime, Meropenem, Erythropoietin injections, and Rabies Antiserum, among other essential drugs.

“All seized medications and vehicles have been designated as case property, and a case has been registered at the Crime Branch police station in accordance with the law,” stated an official.

The police noted that the racket constituted a well-organized supply chain involving hospital personnel, transporters, and distributors, which enabled the diversion of medications intended for free distribution to patients in government hospitals.

Efforts are ongoing to identify other associates, track financial transactions, and uncover the full modus operandi of this network.

Officials asserted that this crackdown underscores the commitment of the Delhi Police to fight the misuse of public resources and ensure that essential medications reach their rightful beneficiaries.