Tag: illegal trade

Clandestine drug factory discovered in Paraná

Source: 180 degrees.com (Teresina - PI) - 23/05/2012

Counterfeit medications in Brazil are more common than you think and care should be taken when purchasing them.

International agencies estimate that up to 30% of the medicine sold in the country has problems. In the state of Paraná, known for having one of the most active health surveillance systems in the country, the civil police of that state discovered an illegal clandestine drug factory that operated in a farm on Estrada Bandeirante, in the rural area of ​​the city of Maringá.

There, three teenagers and a manager responsible for counterfeiting the products were apprehended. According to the police, the detainees forged 15 different types of medicines on the spot, which were sent to distributors in the states of Paraná and Santa Catarina. In total, the gang produced approximately 1200 pots of medicine and moved more than R $ 100 per month in the scheme.

At the scene, investigators found thousands of plastic jars, labels, empty capsules, cardboard boxes and other materials used to pack and distribute the drugs. According to the police, the suspects used the same substance to fill capsules with different types of drugs.

We warn drug users to always demand the invoice for the drug purchased and, in case of suspicion, contact Anvisa at the address: SIA Section 5, Special Area 57, lot 200, Block D, 1st Subsoil. Brasília - DF, CEP: 71.205-050. Or if you prefer, by calling: (61) 3462-6792 / 5786/6840 or by fax: (61) 3462-5772.

In any establishment caught with irregular drugs, those responsible will answer for the crimes framed in Art. 273 of the Brazilian Penal Code and will be subject to imprisonment that varies from 10 to 15 years.

One third of malaria remedies in the world are fake

Source: O Globo Online (Rio de Janeiro - RJ) - 22/05/2012

Counterfeiting causes resistance and failure to treat the disease, say researchers

An article published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases magazine shows that one third of the drugs used to contain the spread of malaria in the world are false. Researchers who analyzed 1500 samples of drugs taken from seven countries in Southeast Asia say the low quality of counterfeit drugs is causing resistance and treatment failures.

Another analysis carried out in 21 sub-Saharan African countries, with more than 2500 drug samples, showed similar results. American researchers at the Fogarty International Center, of the National Institutes of Health, who coordinated the work, believe that the problem may be even greater than the data suggest.

"Most cases may not be reported, or are reported to the wrong agencies, or kept confidential by pharmacists," write the researchers.

No far-reaching study on the quality of medicines has been carried out in China or India, countries that concentrate one third of the world population and are important points of medicine production.

"Between 655 and 1,2 million people die every year from the disease," the researcher who led the study, Gaurvika Nayyar, told the BBC. - Most of these deaths could be prevented if the drugs available to patients were effective, quality and used correctly.

The study says that the means of monitoring the quality of drugs against malaria is insufficient and that there is little knowledge among consumers and health professionals about treatments. There is still a lack of supervision of the production of these drugs, as well as punitive actions against counterfeiters.

Despite this, malaria mortality has fallen by more than 25% worldwide since 2000, and 33% in the African region. But the World Health Organization says that maintaining current rates of decline in the number of deaths is not enough to meet global goals for controlling the disease. And it makes a call to increase investments in diagnostic tests, treatment and inspection.

Broken seals and gasoline are seized in garage in Bauru

Source: G1 (Rio de Janeiro - RJ) - 22/05/2012

Materials used to divert fuel were on a conveyor.

Three men were detained by the Military Police after an anonymous tip.

The Military Police carried out an operation in the garage of a carrier on Tuesday morning (22), in Vila Coralina, in Bauru (SP). According to Lieutenant Vinícius Sayki, there was an anonymous complaint that fuel was being diverted at the site.

“We found the driver of a vehicle leaving the place with several gallons full of gasoline. We also apprehended broken seals, empty cans and tools used to remove fuel, such as adapted hoses, ”he informed.

A truck that was parked in front of the site also suspected of tampering. Three seals did not match the number shown on the invoice. “We also located a bag with several new seals. Three men were arrested, two are from Bauru and one is from Presidente Prudente ”, he added.

The Technical Expert was on site and the incident was referred to the police duty.

PF seizes 600 boxes of contraband cigarettes; three were arrested

Source: G1 (Rio de Janeiro - RJ) - 22/05/2012

Apprehension took place on Monday (20), in Marechal Cândido Rondon (PR).

Smuggling was hidden on a rural property.

Three people were arrested with 600 cases of smuggled cigarettes from Paraguay in Marechal Cândido Rondon, in western Paraná, on Monday night (20). According to the Federal Police (PF), 350 boxes were in a truck that transported grain and the rest was on a rural property.

In addition to cigarettes, a car and a motorcycle were also seized, which would be used as scouts.

Driver is arrested with 2 thousand packages of cigarettes in Prudentópolis

Source: Rede Sul de Notícias (Guarapuava - PR) - 21/05/2012

Contraband was being taken from Foz do Iguaçu to Curitiba

A driver was arrested with two thousand packages of smuggled cigarettes from Paraguay last night, Sunday (20th), in Prudentópolis. According to the Federal Highway Police (PRF), the approach was during a routine inspection on BR-277.

The goods were hidden in a car and would be taken from Foz do Iguaçu to Curitiba.

The prisoner and the contraband were taken to the Federal Police in Guarapuava.

Illegal drug market explodes on the internet

Source: O Globo (Rio de Janeiro - RJ) - 22/05/2012

Ministry of Health investigation lists 1,2 sites selling prohibited drugs and counterfeit products

BRASILIA. A work commissioned by the Ministry of Health found that companies that operate a parallel market on the internet for the illegal sale of medicines, appetite suppressants, anabolic steroids, abortions and blue prescription make criminal use of official logos. It was even identified a false profile of the Minister of Health, Alexandre Padilha, on Twitter. These are some of the results of the detailed survey "Digital inspection: threats are collective health on the Internet", which lasted a year, and was commissioned from a private company specialized in this digital area.

The study was handed over to the ministry in March. On the internet, criminals use symbols and logos of services and products from the Ministry of Health and deceive consumers with advertisements that the drugs are registered by the National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa).

The existence of 1,2 illegal sites, of the most varied, was counted. Of abortion drugs, especially Cytotec, 359 sites were identified (30% of the total); of appetite suppressants, 382 (32%); anabolic steroids, 258 (22%); herbal medicines, 159 (13%); and sales of blue revenue, 41 sites (3%).

In the case of abortion, the company hired to perform this scan on the internet comes to calculate that the cost of hospitalizations for problems resulting from the use of Cytotec reaches R $ 13,4 million per year. The illegal billing with anabolic steroids, in the period of one year of measurement, was estimated at R $ 153 million. With anorectic, the illegal market would have revenues of R $ 82,4 million.

According to the study, the sites sell illusions, in addition to unregulated products that generate health problems. The work concluded that there are, on social networks, "online drugstores", with criminal practices. “The physical and the virtual are mixed: medical consultations are made online, counterfeit drugs are purchased over the internet and sent to real addresses. The pharmacy that sells controlled products without a prescription is on the network ”, says the work's conclusions. “The internet is an escape valve: it is the communication channel between the individual and the criminal network that allows anonymity. The counterfeit drug industry is fueled by the search for banned drugs, the lack of inspection on the Internet, prices below the regular market, and the population's lack of information ”.

The authors concluded that part of the public health problems in Brazil is, in some way, associated with the internet: illegal abortions, purchase of counterfeit drugs, intoxication by counterfeit drugs and development of diseases due to the ingestion of drugs without medical supervision.

The work monitored the main brands of the Ministry of Health, such as UPA, Popular Pharmacy, Family Health, SUS and Samu. The products are presented like this on the internet: “Cenaless, the secret to your weight loss. Assists in the search for the beautiful body. Perfect butt: appear on the beach with a body that causes envy ”. And says that the product is approved by Anvisa, which is not true.

Federal Highway Police seizes more than 23 packs of smuggled cigarettes

Source: Diário de Ourinhos (Ourinhos - SP) - 16/05/2012

The 23.470 were seized by the Federal Police of Marília

The Federal Highway Police seized on Monday, another large cargo of smuggled cigarettes from Paraguay. The goods would be taken to be sold in the city of São Paulo.

During routine inspection on the BR-153, at around 12:30 pm the tactical team of the Ourinhense base approached a GM Astra car with plates from Foz do Iguaçu-PR. The police soon suspected that the vehicle was escorting another vehicle, so due diligence was carried out in the immediate vicinity, the second vehicle being located, a GM Meriva from São Paulo that carried 23.470 packs of cigarettes.

Those involved informed that they came from the city of Foz do Iguaçu-PR and had the destination of delivery of goods to the city of São Paulo. Given the facts, the suspects were referred to the Federal Police of Marília, where vehicles and cargo were apprehended. If the foreign origin of the cigarette is confirmed, the suspects may be indicted for the crime of contraband.

Teenager 14 years steals motorcycle and is detained

On Monday (14), the Military Police arrested a teenager of just 14 years of age accused of stealing a motorcycle from a 'mototaxi' establishment, located in the Cohab de Ourinhos.

At around 22 pm, police officers observed an individual driving a motorcycle and, while trying to approach him, the boy made his escape for a few blocks entering a 'mototaxi' garage in the same neighborhood.

The police then detained the driver, who was a child under 14 who claimed to have borrowed the owner's motorcycle. The teenager was taken to the police station where the police located the owner who denied lending the motorcycle to the minor.

The officer on duty charged the teenager for theft of a vehicle, it was released after the occurrence was registered and the motorcycle was returned to its owner.

Police seize marijuana portion with teenager in Praça do Caló

At one of the points known to the Military Police used by drug users, Praça do Caló, located on Rua Duque de Caxias, the PM arrested a teenager with two portions of marijuana. The case happened at dawn on Tuesday (15).

During routine inspection, at around 01:30 am, the military detained a teenager in a suspicious attitude. During the personal search he was found with the smallest two portions of marijuana packaged for sale.

The minor was referred to the Police Duty and after the record of the occurrence was released to a guardian. The drug was seized.

ETCO and FNCP officially support São Paulo City Hall against Feira da Madrugada

São Paulo, August 16, 2011 - The president of the National Forum Against Piracy and Illegality (FNCP), Edson Vismona, and the president of the Brazilian Institute of Ethics in Competition (ETCO), Roberto Abdenur, delivered yesterday, 15/08, a letter to the mayor of São Paulo City Council , councilor José Police Neto. In the document, the entities officially support the actions to combat illegal trade carried out by the Integrated Management Office (CGI), which has been carried out under the coordination of the Municipal Secretary for Urban Security, Edsom Ortega.

In the document, the two entities take stock of the innumerable illegalities found by the operations triggered by the CGI since 2010 and affirm that the action initiated by the GGI in the so-called “Feira da Madrugada” must deserve all the support of civil society and fundamentally of the Municipal Parliament:

“… The action initiated by GGI in the so-called“ Feira da Madrugada ”must deserve all the support of civil society and fundamentally of our Municipal Parliament. It scares any citizen the possibility of a disaster occurring in that space, occupied without the minimum security conditions. A quick visit is enough to identify the precariousness of the place, from the disordered division of the area, to the precarious electrical and circulation conditions of the thousands of people who pass through it daily. To continue to accept this market under existing conditions would represent an omission by the public authorities.

It should be emphasized, Mr President, that in no way is it intended to combat popular trade, on the contrary, it should be encouraged and that dignified conditions should be given for its realization. What is unacceptable is that this trade is considered marginal, forgotten, and given over to illegality, as if people looking for cheaper products do not deserve respect ”.

Full document:

Sir José Police Neto

DD. Mayor of São Paulo

The National Forum Against Piracy and Illegality - FNCP and the Brazilian Institute of Competition Ethics - ETCO are non-profit civil associations that act in defense of legality, promoting actions to encourage cooperation between civil society and public administration to strengthen the combating the illegal practices that cause so much damage to the consumer, the purse and loyal competitiveness, in the search for a better environment in Brazil to attract investments and maintain jobs.

With the institution of the Office of Integrated Management - GGI, by the Municipality of São Paulo, bringing together sectors of the federal, state and municipal public administration, with the coordination of the Secretary of Urban Security, FNCP and ETCO were invited to participate, with other civil associations, of this effort to improve the coordinated action to stimulate security in the city of São Paulo.

In the development of the work of GGI and with the signing of the agreement “Cidade Livre de Pirataria” with the National Council for Combating Piracy of the Ministry of Justice, managed by ETCO, it was identified that the illegal trade in pirated, fake or illegal products (contraband or embezzlement) represents an evident misuse of conduct to the detriment not only of the purse and of the formal companies that invest and comply with the law, but also of the consumer, either because this illegal trade occupies spaces without attending to the postures related to the safety of people, either because these products can affect your health.

Since December 2010, 22 joint operations have been carried out by the City Hall, the Federal Revenue Service, the Civil Police, the Federal Police, the State Finance Department and the PROCON Foundation. More than 26 million products were seized, demonstrating the enormity of this illegal trade, which does not respect the existence of permits, licenses, health surveillance positions, issuing of invoices and the Consumer Protection Code.

Drugs were also seized in the operations and illegal aliens were identified.

The results presented demonstrate that if the public power does not occupy the space it owes and implements order and law, illegal trade will do so, facilitating the action of criminal organizations, with harmful effects for the whole of society.

In this context, the action initiated by GGI in the so-called “Feira da Madrugada” must deserve all the support of civil society and fundamentally of our Municipal Parliament. It scares any citizen the possibility of a disaster occurring in that space, occupied without the minimum security conditions. A quick visit is enough to identify the precariousness of the place, from the disorderly division of the area, to the precarious electrical and circulation conditions of the thousands of people who pass through it daily. To continue to accept this market under existing conditions would represent an omission by the public authorities.

It should be emphasized, Mr President, that in no way is it intended to combat popular trade, on the contrary, it should be encouraged and that dignified conditions should be given for its realization. What is unacceptable is that this trade is considered marginal, forgotten, and given over to illegality, as if people looking for cheaper products do not deserve respect.

In fact, the action of the Integrated Management Office is an example that should be followed by other public administrations, because an important step was taken in order to act and not only to express regrets and apologies. Much has been done and much needs to be done, correcting any errors, but moving on.

This report is presented with respect to the municipal parliament, which, the maximum expression of the legitimacy of the citizen of São Paulo, has shown concern with the defense of its highest interests.

Respectfully,

Edson Luiz Vismona Roberto Abdenur

President of FNCP President of ETCO