Counterfeit vet drugs seized in Border operation
Health officials aided by gardaí and police seized massive quantities of illegally-manufactured, highly dangerous medicines at locations in the North and the Republic.
Angela Smith, the Stormont Health Minister, claimed the drugs, which contained antibiotics, could have proved deadly.
"The seriousness of this case, with the potential risk to human life and the Agriculture Industry, cannot be understated.
"It is likely that these illegal veterinary medicines were destined for use in food-producing animals, both locally and nationally."
Enforcement officers working for the North's Department of Health led a lengthy investigation, which is believed to have focused on one big manufacturer.
That operation has now been halted.
Police Service of Northern Ireland and garda teams joined the probe, along with agriculture officials in both jurisdictions.
Labels for unauthorised products, thousands of bottles and piles of raw materials to make the drugs were all seized.
Martin McIlveen, the Medicines Enforcement Officer in charge of the inquiry, told how they had not been endorsed properly through the Veterinary Medicines Directorate.
"These unauthorised products were manufactured by unscrupulous people who have no concern for the safety of the public," he said.
"We estimate that sales of these illegal products had the potential to generate in excess of €1.4m.
"The department appeals to any farmer who has purchased a Veterinary Product which does not have a VM number on its label, to contact the department immediately."
