Peru anti-fraud and corruption authorities seized nearly 15 tons of fake medicine, valued at approximately 100,000 soles, or $35,000.
The operation, conducted June 11 in three different stores located on Paruro Street in Lima’s city center but made known only this week, yielded nearly 15 tons of fake and possibly lethal medicine, , Police Col. Pedro Bailón told daily El Comercio.
The raiding teams swooped down on the erring establishments before 8:00AM local time. But, as the personnel had yet to arrive, no arrests were made.
“A court order authorized the intervention, which took place in the presence of a provincial attorney, Maria Alejandro Cabrera,” Bailón said.
The seized drugs were a combination of adulterated drugs, medicines with tampered expiration dates and others illegally obtained from public institutions such as the Health Ministry and the Peruvian Air force’s Hospital.
According to police, the drugs were to be sold as antibiotics, anti-inflammatory and birth control pills in the city center’s pharmacies as well as informal shops and roadside stands, La Republica reported.
The raid, which should lead to further investigations, was part of Peru National Police’s larger “Barrage 2008” tactical plan.
