Interpol Seizes 9 Tons of Counterfeit Drugs in East Africa

International authorities recently seized nine tons of counterfeit drugs from a number of East African nations.

According to Interpol, 80 people were also arrested on suspicion of illegal trafficking in the two-month long operation that took place in Uganda, Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Zanzibar, reports CNN. The seized drugs included anti-malaria medication, vaccines and antibiotics as well as quantity of drugs from governments that were being diverted for illegal resale on the black market. It was the third seizure operation in three years in East Africa intended to curb the manufacture and distribution of counterfeit medical products.

According to CNN, this is the third confiscation operation conducted by Interpol in East Africa in as many years. The purpose of such operations is to slow down the manufacture and distribution of counterfeit drugs.

Interpol said that representatives from the six nations who were involved in the operation will meet in Zanzibar next week to discuss the seizure as well as the scope of the counterfeit drug problem, reports CNN.