[ad_1]
Some 400 vials, equivalent to about 2,400 doses, containing the fake vaccine were found in a warehouse in Germiston, Gauteng, where officers also recovered a large quantity of fake 3M masks and arrested three Chinese citizens and one Zambian citizen. (Photo: Interpol)
- Police have warned the public not to fall into the trap of buying fake Covid-19 vaccines from criminals.
- Four people are expected to return to court in May after they were found in possession of fake vaccine doses and fake N95 masks at a warehouse in Germiston, Gauteng, last year.
- Police said anyone buying fake and unapproved drugs was putting their health at risk.
Police have warned the public against purchasing fake vaccines from unscrupulous individuals seeking to profit from the Covid-19 pandemic.
The warning followed a warehouse raid and the arrest of four people in Germiston, Gauteng, last year. They were found in possession of 400 doses of fake Covid-19 vaccines and fake N95 masks worth millions.
Police spokeswoman Colonel Brenda Muridili said investigators feared that the four defendants, prior to their arrest, had already announced that there was a vaccine for sale.
Some 400 vials, equivalent to about 2,400 doses, containing the fake vaccine were found in a warehouse in Germiston, Gauteng, where officers also recovered a large quantity of fake 3M masks and arrested three Chinese citizens and one Zambian citizen. (Photo: Interpol)
Some 400 vials, equivalent to about 2,400 doses, containing the fake vaccine were found in a warehouse in Germiston, Gauteng, where officers also recovered a large quantity of fake 3M masks and arrested three Chinese citizens and one Zambian citizen. (Photo: Interpol)
“Currently, there are no approved vaccines available for sale online or physically. Anyone buying these drugs is putting themselves at risk and giving their money to organized criminals.
“The police will continue to detect and investigate anyone involved in organized unions trying to enrich themselves by smuggling and distributing illegal and unregistered drugs,” Muridili added.
The four defendants – Zhang Jian, 30, Liang Pengcheng, 31, Chen Jianfu, 41, and Charles Chigwedere, 45 – made their most recent appearance at the Germiston Magistrates Court on February 19.
They were accused of violating the Law on Counterfeit Products, the Law on Customs and Special Taxes and the Law on Medicines and Related Substances.
His case was postponed until May 28 for further investigation.
