Second haul of bogus vet drugs seized in raid
A substantial amount of illegal and counterfeit veterinary drugs destined for use in the Republic were seized north of the border in a raid today.
Members of the British Department of Health confirmed that Medicines Enforcement officers uncovered a significant quantity of the counterfeit products last month during a search in Dromara, Co Down and in a follow-up operation today seized a new haul in the Craigavon area.
Medicines Enforcement officer Martin McIlveen said it was feared the fake drugs were destined for use in food-producing animals and posed a public health risk.
“These counterfeit products had a Veterinary Product Approval (VPA) number, which means they were manufactured for the Republic of Ireland’s market.
“Anyone offered veterinary medicine with a VPA number under suspicious circumstances should contact the Department.”
Mr McIlveen said the British government had made it very clear that it would not tolerate the manufacture and supply of illegal veterinary drugs.
Today’s raid, he said, was proof of his colleagues’ determination to stamp out the trade.
“The likelihood is that these illegal veterinary medicines were destined for use in food-producing animals, which poses a risk to the general public and to the agricultural industry.
“We will now be submitting a file to the Director of Public Prosecutions.”
The official said farmers and others who use veterinary medicines should only purchase them from reputable sources.
Members of the public, he confirmed, had also helped his officers by providing vital information on illegal practices and he urged people to continue to do so.
