A million-euro counterfeit veterinary drug operation on both sides of the Border has been dismantled, it emerged today.
Ms Angela Smith, Stormont Health Minister
Health officials aided by police seized massive quantities of illegally-manufactured, highly-dangerous medicines at locations in Northern Ireland and the Republic.
Ms Angela Smith, the Stormont Health Minister, claimed the drugs, which contained antibiotics, could have proved deadly. She said: "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."
Police Service of Northern Ireland and Garda teams took part in the investigation, 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.
PA