New Delhi: A man accused of trafficking spurious cancer medicines and evading arrest for over three years was nabbed by the crime branch of Delhi Police. The accused, Sabir Alam, was arrested while he was on his honeymoon in Bardhman, West Bengal, after sustained surveillance and multiple raids.Alam had been declared a Proclaimed Offender in a case registered under IPC sections related to cheating, criminal conspiracy, and adulteration of drugs. “His arrest is the latest in a major case that began in Nov 2022, when four individuals were caught with counterfeit cancer drugs. The probe eventually led to 14 arrests, including two doctors, and the discovery of an illegal manufacturing unit in Sonipat, Haryana, and a warehouse in Tronica City, Uttar Pradesh,” said DCP (crime) Harsh Indora.Police said Alam played a critical role in the distribution network, managing the circulation of counterfeit medicines in Kolkata and coordinating their shipment to Bangladesh, where they were delivered to a person identified as Dr Rasel. He also handled the finances, collecting payments and transferring the proceeds to co-accused Dr Pabitra Narayan Pradhan and Shubham Manna, after keeping his share.Following the arrests of his associates, Alam went underground. He got married in 2022 and attempted to lead a low-profile life while avoiding law enforcement. However, the Crime Branch continued efforts to trace him, conducting regular raids at his suspected hideouts in West Bengal.“The breakthrough came when officers received a tip that Alam was on his honeymoon in Raniganj. A team reached the area and began checking hotels. On May 20, they learned that Alam had boarded a bus to Kanda. Acting swiftly, the team intercepted him at the Kanda bus stand and took him into custody,” said DCP Indora.
