Antigua and Barbuda authorities have successfully dismantled an illegal operation that was administering unregulated treatments, including unauthorized Ozempic injections, following an undercover investigation that exposed significant gaps in the country’s import surveillance system.
The Cabinet has expressed full support for the Director of Pharmaceutical Services, Alfred Athill, in his efforts to combat the trend of illicit medical establishments emerging across the island. The breakthrough came during a weekend operation conducted by Athill’s team in collaboration with the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda.
During the operation, authorities confiscated a quantity of drugs and syringes, some pre-filled with suspected substances intended for unauthorized treatments. One individual was detained for questioning and later released pending further investigation.
Director General of Communications Maurice Merchant revealed during this week’s post-cabinet press briefing that the illegal operation was sophisticated in its design and execution.
“The operation was taking place within a container – a container business. At the front of the operation was a clothing store and the back of the container was a business whereby persons were making appointments and going to have the various substances injected or administered to them,” Merchant explained.
The business was exposed when an undercover officer made an appointment for treatment.
“One of the officers made an appointment to receive an injection for Ozempic as advertised on the doors of that premises. And hence, the operation was busted,” Merchant said.
Merchant emphasized that controlled substances like Ozempic can only be legally administered through proper medical channels.
“First, Ozempic is a controlled drug and so it can only be prescribed by a physician and issued by legal authorities, being the pharmacists in Antigua and Barbuda who are registered in Antigua and Barbuda to do such business,” he stated.
The crackdown represents an ongoing effort by multiple agencies.
“The issue of locating and ridding the country of these illegal health-related sites is an ongoing effort by the Pharmaceuticals Division and the police,” Merchant added.
The investigation revealed serious shortcomings in the country’s import surveillance system. A high-level Cabinet meeting involving Customs, Immigration, Police, and army officials identified multiple security gaps that smugglers have been exploiting.
“The Department of Customs and Excise was at that meeting of the Cabinet yesterday during this discussion. Also, immigration officials were at that discussion with the police and army officials. And so they were looking at where the gaps are.
“It was realized that there are shortcomings or gaps in the importation or the surveillance or the scrutiny of imported items into Antigua and Barbuda where these items are being slipped through,” Merchant explained.
“It was reported that there are ingenious ways that some persons would have utilized to illegally bring items, drugs, synthetic drugs or drugs in relation to illnesses into Antigua and Barbuda – barrels, the bottom of barrels, within clothing, sewn within clothing, concealed in small, small packages in various parts of items being shipped.”
Authorities are moving to implement stronger surveillance measures to address the shortcomings.
“The Customs and Exercise Division has been asked to step up their surveillance and their inspection of items being imported. And of course, the police will also be more vigilant in addressing these concerns,” Merchant said and revealed that the Pharmaceutical Division reported that this is not the first case that they have encountered.
The Police have launched an investigation into this matter and similar activities on the island.
