Underground medicine network busted
Four suspects involved in the illegal trade of medicine, allegedly worth 3 million yuan (US$478,118), have been arrested, according to Putuo District prosecutors.
The alleged crime came to light in January when two grassroots health care facilities, one in Putuo and the other in the Pudong New Area, reported that they were robbed of four boxes of medicine, at a combined value of 150,000 yuan.
Police tracked down a man, identified as A Bao, 47, who said he sold the medicines to a man called Shun Zi at 16,000 yuan, nearly one-tenth of the original prices. Shun Zi allegedly wandered around hospitals to engage in drug trafficking.
Based on clues offered by A Bao, police located Shun Zi, who said he sold the medicines to a father-and-son pair through express delivery, in Zhengzhou, capital of Henan Province.
Police soon arrested the pair, before seizing medicines believed to worth more than 3 million yuan. The two said they sold the medicine to local pharmacies.
None of the men involved held the required licenses to trade medicine.
Further investigation is ongoing.