UK border agency seizes 8.5 million Viagra tablets
Most found in freight deliveries at Heathrow Airport
Officers from the UK Border Agency (UKBA) seized 8.5 million fake and unlicensed Viagra tablets worth around £13m last year.
Most of the erectile dysfunction pills destined for the black market – around six million doses – were found in freight deliveries at London’s Heathrow Airport, the UKBA said.
More than two million were also found in parcels at the international postal hub in Coventry, Warwickshire and another 250,000 at the Mount Pleasant postal hub in London – all ordered online by UK customers. Hauls were also seized at Birmingham and Stansted airports.
Brodie Clark, head of the UKBA’s border force, said: ‘This massive haul makes it clear just how seriously we take the smuggling of fake and unlicensed medicines.
‘As well as stopping drugs, weapons and illegal immigrants from reaching the UK, our officers have a vital role to play in protecting British consumers and businesses from the trade in black market medicines and other goods.
‘Smugglers are only out to make a profit – these goods are often dangerous and the proceeds can be used to fuel serious organised crime.’
The UKBA refers seized pharmaceutical drugs to the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), which then takes action against those attempting to trade them on the black market.
Mick Deats, head of enforcement for the MHRA, said the agency would use the full extent of its legal powers to take action against those engaged in this illegal activity.