Delhi crime branch busted an interstate racket of blackmarketing of Remdesivir injections
New Delhi, May 13
Delhi Crime Branch busted an interstate racket of blackmarketing of Remdesivir injections and arrested five of an interstate gang from Hisar, Sri Ganganagar, Varanasi, Azamgarh and Bihar arrested.
Additional Commissioner of Police Shibesh Singh stated that the accused persons were illegally selling Remdesivir injections for Rs. 50,000/- in open market and have admitted to having sold more than 100 injections so far in Delhi, Haryana, Chandigarh and Rajasthan after procuring the same from their source in Chandigarh.
The crime branch stated that the kingpin of the racket is Ashok Tiwari from Chhapra Bihar who is running a Pharmaceutical Company from AVISON Towers, Kakrola, Delhi. He also has an office at Krishna Tower, Sector-12, Dwarka.
He used to remain in touch with his respective customers through Whatsapp and used to receive Rs. 15,000/- online for each Remdesivir injection. Presently, he is absconding and raids are being conducted at his possible hideouts in Delhi, UP and Bihar. One Rajeev Ranjan is a Director in his company. His role in the syndicate is being probed, officials added.
According to the crime branch, SI Mahavir Singh and constable Shyam Sunder posted in Crime Branch, Dwarka received secret information that the members of the racket would come near Dhulsiras Chowk, Dwarka for supplying Remdesivir injections illegally at higher rates.
The crime branch team laid a trap near expected place of their arrival. Ankit Jatan and Kanishk Chaudhary arrived in an I-20 car. They demanded Rs. 50,000 each for two Remdesivir injections. Both were apprehended at eth spot. Two 100 mg Remdesivir injections were seized from their possession. A case under appropriate sections of law was registered against them.
During investigation, three other associates Kaushal Mishra, Abhishek Rai and Utkarsh Rai were also arrested and three more Remdesivir Injections were seized from their possession.
Talking about their modus operandi, he gang members searched for people who were looking for Remdesivir injections for their relatives who were suffering from Covid infection. For Injections worth Rs. 1,200/- per vial, they charged anywhere between Rs. 25,000 to 50,000 per vial, depending upon the paying capacity of the victims.
The seized injections are being handed over to the health department after getting orders from the competent authority. Raids are being conducted in to trace the kingpin Ashok Tiwari, officials added.
The agency is further investigating the case.
