Three arrested for advertising, selling illegal drugs known as ‘miracle seeds’

The Zambia Medicines Regulatory Authority (ZAMRA) in collaboration with the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) has arrested three people for selling fake medical products for Hip and Bum enhancement among ladies.

ZAMRA Senior Public Relations Officer Ludovic Mwape said the three were arrested for the offences of illegal advertisement/promotion and sale of unauthorized medical products in the country.

Mwape said this was through an operation targeting a group known for promoting and selling among other products, medicines such as Cyproheptadine commonly known as C-4 and Cypomex and Dexamethasone commonly known as Dexarose was conducted resulting in the arrest of the three individuals.

He said the medicines should either be completely avoided, or used with caution, at the recommendation of a physician for relief of allergy symptoms and management of inflammatory disorders.

Mwape said other medicinal products seized are Congo Tablets and Ghana commonly known as Miracle Seeds the products are widely advertised on various social media platforms.

“The products are widely advertised on various social media platforms including Facebook and WhatsApp; and are being sold to unsuspecting females with claims to promote weight gain, enhancement of buttocks and hips, as well as tummy trimming,” Mwape said.

He said these medicines are being smuggled into the country and are not registered on the Zambian market and therefore, their quality, safety and efficacy cannot be established.

“Those arrested are: Tisa Chikunyu (popularly known as Elizabeth or Eliza to her customers), aged 23, the mastermind and a student at Levy Mwanawasa Medical University, another female Taonga Simwango, aged 21 years, of Meanwood Ibex, Lusaka, a student nurse at Cavendish University, and Emmanuel Chindama, male aged 27, a businessman of Ng’ombe, Lusaka,” Mwape said.

Mwape in a statement said the suspects have since been released on police bond awaiting court appearance.

Contributed by Augustine Sichula

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