According to Mogoditshane-based CID Officer in Charge, Superintendent Sergeant Marapo, the seizure was made at a pharmacy in Block 3's industrial estate on January 22.The massive haul consisted of 269 of the medical products made up 100mg ARVs and 200mg and 60mg birth control pills. The Monitor has established that the pharmacy was not licenced to trade in ARVs and birth control pills.
Three women without any health training Ð one Zimbabwean aged 31 and two Ethiopians aged 32 and 31- were connected to the drugs. "The drugs were brought into the country illegally," Marapo said."We must establish where exactly they came from, hence we have contacted Interpol for assistance because cross-border crime can be complex." Though investigations are at a preliminary stage, the CID is pointing to neighbouring Zimbabwe as the likely source of the contraband. Marapo said the Drug Regulatory Unit (DRU) of the Ministry of Health subsequently found that the pharmacy was not licenced to trade in ARVs and birth control medication. Police would not identify the pharmacy or its proprietor(s).
