Irregular drugs seized for over RD$31 million in Espaillat operations

Espaillat, RD. – Dominican authorities seized a large shipment of medications that was being illegally marketed during two raids carried out in the municipality of San Víctor, Espaillat province, as part of the actions to combat illicit trade in the country. The interventions were carried out by the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and SMEs (MICM), together with the Specialized Corps for Fuel and Merchandise Control (Ceccom) and the General Directorate of Medicines, Food and Sanitary Products (Digemaps), in coordination with the Public Ministry. During the operations, the authorities seized nearly 1.5 million units of pharmaceutical products that did not have health authorization. The merchandise, valued at around RD$31 million, was stored in dozens of large containers and prepared for distribution in the informal market.

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One of the raids was carried out at a business known as “Osiris Variedades”, while the second took place in a premises without commercial identification, both pointed out for alleged irregular activities related to the sale of medicines. According to the official report, the seizure is in response to violations of Law 17-19 on illicit trade and counterfeiting of regulated products, as well as regulations established in Customs Law 168-21 and current tax provisions. The entities involved highlighted that these actions seek to avoid health risks to the population, while reinforcing the fight against structures dedicated to smuggling and the distribution of products without health control. Authorities indicated that those involved were placed under the control of the judicial system, while investigations are expanded to identify possible links with other illegal trade networks in the region.