The amazing story of Birtukan- all facts

The amazing story of Birtukan- all facts.

Illegal drugs and medical devices worth over 338 million birr seized

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The Ethiopian Food and Drug Authority, Ethiopian Federal Police and Customs Commission have jointly announced the seizure of illegal drugs and medical devices worth over 338 million birr.

19 suspects have been arrested and are being investigated in connection with the illegal activity.

Deputy Director General of the Ethiopian Food and Drug Authority, Ato Seyoum Wolde, said that the authority, in coordination with stakeholders, conducted a drug control operation in 23 locations in Adama and Addis Ababa last week.

He said that various drugs with an estimated value of 118 million birr were seized during the control operation.

They said that unused medical devices worth an estimated 150 million birr and medical devices worth 70 million birr that have undergone proper quality testing and are in use were found.

They said that illegal medicines and medical devices worth an estimated 338 million birr have been seized.

They noted that when illegal medicines enter the market, their quality, safety and efficacy are not verified, they cause health, economic and social harm to the community.

They said that medicines with expired expiration dates and new expiration dates are illegal health products that are not registered with the authorities and do not have a market license.

They thanked the community for their cooperation in the efforts to seize illegal medicines and medical devices, and they said that control operations will continue to be strengthened.

Deputy Commissioner of the Ethiopian Customs Commission, Ezezew Chane, said that a joint operation is underway to control and prevent illegal drug trafficking.

He said that illegal drugs and medical supplies that could harm the community were seized in a joint operation conducted with the Federal Police, Interpol, and regional security agencies.

Chief Inspector Thiruwork Mengiste, Head of the National Interpol Transnational Crime and Operations Division of the Ethiopian Federal Police, said that illegal food and drug trafficking is one of the activities that Interpol focuses on.

He noted that the joint operation in Addis Ababa and Adama to control illegal drugs and medical supplies has yielded results and will continue to be strengthened.