And one contraband shipment not included on those increasing imports is a bust of almost one million dollars worth of contraband medication. It happened over the weekend in Orange Walk Town. Police officers intercepted a couple who had twenty seven boxes of medicine in their vehicle. The Ministry of Health's Drug Inspectorate was called in and they confirmed the products were fake. The boxes were handed over to customs which usually settles contraband matters with a fine. But this time, the Department decided instead to prosecute the couple, due to the value of the fake Pharma and the danger to public health, had these made it onto the market.
Reports are that they were going to pass on the contraband meds to a supplier in Orange Walk. Today, the media asked the PM about it.
John Briceno, Prime Minister
"I don't know who the supplier is but certainly it was brought to my attention on Sunday but it's not necessarily the Minister of Health and Wellness but also the Customs Department, they were the ones that made the bust and the comptroller was very clear that they were going to seize the medications and that they were going to be charged and that is exactly what is happening and we hope that after this we will not see anymore of this."
