Source: The Citizen, Arusha 25.05.09
The Citizen Reporter
Drug enforcement authorities have destroyed two tonnes of illegal drugs, cosmetics and expired foodstuffs worth Sh9 million, which were impounded from supermarkets and tuck shops in Arusha. Some of the burned drugs and expired foodstuffs were seized from well-established local wholesalers by officials of the Tanzania Food and Drugs Authority (TDFA).
Mr Elia Nyeura, the TDFA's northern zone inspector said most of the destroyed beauty products are on the list of cosmetics the Government banned way back in 2002. "But apparently, the ban has not been effective enough to stop some local traders from selling the dangerous products, which are often on very high demand," he told reporters.
The burned cosmetics included body lotions, creams, as well as skin softeners and lighteners. Most of the beauty products were found to be containing deadly chemicals. Also destroyed were expired medical drugs that were deemed dangerous by the drug authorities.
The TDFA official said all traders from whose shops the destroyed products were found could lose their operating licences. Meanwhile, the drug enforcement authorities have also impounded Sh4 million worth of veterinary drugs "illegally imported" from Kenya.
The seized drugs were found at a house in Sakina suburb on the Namanga Road in Arusha. Mr Nyeura told reporters some Kenyan traders who are still at large were distributing the drugs. The confiscated drugs include 575 vials of Bellsole 25 as well as 399 vials of Epson Salt BP vet and Unizan Liquid. Two suspected Kenyan suppliers ? identified as Ezekiel Migori and John Kaman Kabugi - were distributing the drugs in the municipality. They had reportedly removed old labels from the containers of the drugs and replaced them with new ones. Two local women were arrested after they were caught changing the drug labels. Illegal cross-border drug and food dealers often use unofficial routes commonly known as "panya" to move their goods from or into Kenya
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