Mexican authorities have taken decisive action against pharmacies located in Caribbean coast resorts.
Closing down 23 drugstores after suspicions emerged that they were peddling counterfeit pills, including substances like Oxycodone, Percocet, and Adderall, as per Independent.
Mexican Targets Counterfeit Pill Trade in Tourist Areas
This latest development follows a research report that had warned about such practices six months ago. These counterfeit pills were reportedly being sold to foreigners without prescriptions, posing serious health risks.
The crackdown, conducted over four days, specifically targeted drugstores in prominent tourist destinations such as Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum. The Navy Department spearheaded this operation, which revealed alarming irregular sales practices at nearly half of the inspected 55 pharmacies.
The Navy's findings indicated that these pharmacies were often catering exclusively to tourists. This alarming practice was further highlighted by advertisements for these pills, including the convenience of home delivery services.
During the inspections, outdated medications and pills with no clear supplier record were discovered, alongside blank or unsigned prescription forms.
The seriousness of this situation is highlighted by the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) study published earlier this year. The report disclosed that 68% of the Mexican pharmacies visited in northern Mexico cities had sold Oxycodone, Xanax, or Adderall.
Shockingly, 27% of these pharmacies were found to be selling counterfeit pills. These pills were often misrepresented as controlled substances like Oxycodone, Percocet, and Adderall, even containing dangerous substances like fentanyl, a synthetic opioid far more potent than morphine.
Chelsea Shover, an assistant professor-in-residence of medicine at UCLA, stressed that these counterfeit pills pose severe overdose risks. The US State Department also issued a travel warning about these pills in March, stating that they could contain potentially lethal doses of fentanyl.
While the Navy's recent inspections did not confirm fentanyl-laced pills, they did seize medications for testing to determine the presence of fentanyl. Fentanyl, known for its potency, has been responsible for a significant number of overdose deaths, particularly in the United States, according to EFE.
Massive Liquid Meth Seizure Disguised as Mezcal by Authorities
In addition to the pharmaceutical concerns, Mexican authorities also made a significant methamphetamine seizure. A large shipment of liquid methamphetamine, valued at hundreds of millions of dollars, was discovered in a shipping container disguised as mezcal, an alcoholic beverage made from distilled agave.
This seizure comes as part of the ongoing efforts by Mexican marines to combat drug smuggling. So far this year, they have seized more than 124 tons of methamphetamine across the country. This incident is a testament to the enduring battle against drug trafficking and the complexities involved.
As Mexican cartels resort to innovative methods to transport drugs, the need for heightened vigilance remains crucial. Whether it's the dangerous trade in counterfeit pharmaceuticals or the smuggling of powerful narcotics, the authorities' relentless efforts are essential to safeguard public health and security.
Also, 11,520 tequila bottles intended for export to Australia that really contained pure liquid meth worth $1 billion were stopped by Mexican Navy inspectors in April of this year. About 8,640kg of meth was found in the bottles, which also were seized near the Pacific coast harbor of Manzanillo. The bottles contained a brownish liquid that resembled tequila. On that occasion, sniffer dogs also alerted the marines, resulting in drug testing of the cargo, Dailymail reported
