Macau Customs Service (SA) officers raided an illegal medicine distribution point in a daily necessities shop in the Avenida de Horta e Costa neighbourhood on Wednesday for illegally importing and supplying medicines without a licence, according to an SA statement yesterday.
According to the statement, the Pharmaceutical Supervision and Administration Bureau (ISAF) received a report on a social media platform recently that the shop was distributing drugs in bulk.
The customs officers in a joint action with the bureau on Wednesday, seized more than 1,500 boxes of drugs and a batch of e-cigarettes illegally imported and awaiting illegal distribution.
The bureau has followed up on the investigation, while the Customs Service is preparing legal action against the person in charge of the shop for violating product import requirements.
According to legislation on pharmaceutical activities, only businesses that have been granted a licence by the bureau can supply medicines, and imported medicines must also be pre-approved by the bureau and granted an import licence; offenders are liable to a maximum fine of 700,000 patacas, and those in serious cases are subject to criminal liabilities, the statement said.
In the statement, the bureau urged residents not to buy or use drugs from unknown sources, and if they discover suspected unauthorised drug activities or businesses suspected of engaging in illegal drug activities, members of the public should contact the bureau by calling its hotline on 8598 3522 or send an email to dli@isaf.gov.mo.
A Macau Customs Service (SA) officer (right) and a Pharmaceutical Supervision and Administration Bureau (ISAF) official check illegally imported medicines at a daily necessities shop in the Avenida de Horta e Costa neighbourhood on Wednesday. – Photo: ISAF
