Argentina Federal Agents Investigate Fake Drug Crime Ring
In Argentina, 40 raids were conducted as part of continuing investigations into counterfeit and illegal drug distribution by organized crime.
In Argentina, 40 raids were conducted as part of continuing investigations into counterfeit and illegal drug distribution by organized crime.
Argentinian federal authorities are working on the most recent chapter of a two year investigation of counterfeit drug purveyors throughout the workers' unions within Argentina that involve extensive use of expired drugs, counterfeiting and murder.
Federal Judge Norberto Oyarbide ordered raids which were executed by the Technical Research Division of Federal Investigations in various neighborhoods of Buenos Aires, including Capital Federal, Avellaneda, San Justo and other interior locations, according to the Argentinian news organization, Momento 24.
Among the organizations raided were employment organizations for truckers, metalworkers, air navigators, lottery, port, petrochemical, turf, post and telecommunications, teachers and automotive industries. Healthcare, including doctor care and prescription drugs, are distributed to the majority of Argentinians through their employment union organizations.
In addition, police collected documentation on the purchase and distribution of cancer drugs, hemophilia medication and AIDS drugs. Police are looking for possible connections with drug companies and local San Javier businessman Nestor Lorenzo, previously arrested and prosecuted for organized crime medicine distribution in 2009, reported Momento 24.
Lorenzo testified in the investigation for the murders of Sebastián Forza, Damian Ferron and Leopoldo Bina. He testified on the chain of suppliers and creditors of Forza, who, allegedly, sold a shipment of counterfeit hemophilia medications to the National Drug and Technology Agency (Anmat). Besides Lorenzo and Forza, Martin Lopez Magallanes, Forza's former partner, and Luis Marcel Tarzia were part of a drugstore owner's consortium allegedly involved in the disbursement of counterfeit medications.
Tarzia died in jail after his arrest. He was arrested by a federal judge for allegedly managing a methamphetamine laboratory in Ingeniero Maschwitz connected to a Mexican gang, reported Momento 24.