Delhi Police Cracks Down on Illegal Pharmaceutical Supply Network in West Delhi
In a significant operation, the Delhi Police crime branch has successfully dismantled an illegal medicine supply racket operating in west Delhi. The authorities have arrested a 47-year-old medical store owner who was allegedly involved in the unauthorized sale of restricted pharmaceutical drugs, including Tramadol capsules and Codeine cough syrup. Additionally, his supplier has also been taken into custody, marking a major breakthrough in curbing the illicit drug trade in the region.
Raid and Seizure Details
Acting on a credible tip-off, a specialized police team, in coordination with the state drug controller, conducted a targeted raid at a medical store located in Paschim Vihar. The accused, identified as Vinay Malhotra, also known as Shivam, was found in possession of a substantial quantity of controlled substances. During the thorough search, law enforcement officials recovered 3,360 Tramadol capsules, weighing approximately 2 kilograms, and 84 bottles of Codeine Phosphate syrup, each containing 100 ml, totaling 8.4 liters.
DCP (crime) Sanjeev Kumar Yadav stated, "The accused failed to produce valid bills, prescriptions, or any satisfactory explanation for possessing these controlled substances." As a result, an FIR under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act was promptly registered at the crime branch police station, leading to Malhotra's arrest.
Investigation and Supplier Arrest
During subsequent interrogation, Malhotra revealed that he had procured the seized medicines from Chandan Bansal, the proprietor of a store in Raghubir Nagar. Further investigation uncovered that these restricted medicines were being supplied without proper requisition procedures and without maintaining legitimate financial records. Police inquiries indicated that several firms denied the transactions claimed by the supplier, suggesting fabrication of records and diversion of controlled drugs.
Chandan Bansal, a 40-year-old resident of Vishnu Garden with approximately 15 years of experience in the medicine trade, was arrested earlier this week on Wednesday. His involvement highlights the depth of the illegal network and the challenges in regulating pharmaceutical supplies.
Implications and Broader Context
This bust underscores the ongoing efforts by Delhi Police to combat the illegal distribution of pharmaceutical drugs, which pose significant public health risks. The seizure of Tramadol and Codeine syrup, both highly regulated substances due to their potential for abuse, emphasizes the need for stricter enforcement and vigilance in the medical supply chain. Authorities are continuing their probe to identify any additional links or accomplices in this racket, aiming to prevent further misuse of such drugs in the community.
