More than 100,000 ml of illegally manufactured cough syrup and 1,400 tablets of assorted medicines valued approximately $40,000 were seized on Thursday (6 September) during an enforcement operation in the vicinity of Geylang Road with a follow-up raid at an HDB unit in Sin Ming Road.
Health Sciences Authority (HSA) shared on Friday that the operation was conducted in collaboration with police officers from the Bedok Police Division.
During the operation, a 57-year-old Chinese male was caught supplying cough syrup, sleeping pills and painkillers at Geylang Road. He then led HSA officers to his HDB flat in Sin Ming Road where more illegal medicines were uncovered.
According to the authority, preliminary investigations revealed that the man had used his home kitchen to manufacture the cough syrup before supplying them to a street peddler.
Another 42-year-old Chinese male, suspected to be involved in the illegal supply of these medicines, was also detained. Both men are currently assisting HSA with investigations for the import, manufacture and supply of illegal medicines.
HSA stressed that it takes a serious stand against illegal activities that would harm public health. Anyone caught importing, manufacturing and/or supplying of illegal health products is liable on conviction, to an imprisonment term for up to 2 years and/or fined up to $50,000.
It also encourages members of the public to report any illegal activity involving illegal cough syrup to the Enforcement Branch of HSA at Tel: 6866-3485 during office hours (Monday to Friday) or email: [email protected].
