In Almaty, the illegal activities of four pharmaceutical companies that smuggled medicinal products, including potent drugs, from neighboring countries and then sold them through the country's pharmacy chains have been stopped. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Polisia.kz.
During the investigation, it was established that the suspects illegally produced medicines, including drugs containing psychotropic substances, using makeshift methods. Several warehouses and secret production workshops were found.
Counterfeit products were manufactured under unsanitary conditions, posing a real threat to the life and health of citizens. The use of such drugs can lead to irreversible health consequences.
As part of the operational measures, officials who supported the organizers of the illegal activity for monetary reward were identified and detained. Their actions are classified under Article 366 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
An analysis of trade turnover and financial flows confirmed the existence of shadow schemes, smuggling, and counterfeit activities. According to preliminary data, last year the state did not receive taxes and other mandatory payments totaling more than 800 million tenge.
During a joint special operation, large sums of money, tens of thousands of packages of counterfeit drugs, including those with restricted circulation, as well as equipment and raw materials for their production, were seized from illegal circulation. This prevented a significant volume of counterfeit medical products from entering legal circulation.
The organizers of the criminal scheme and their accomplices have been placed in a temporary detention facility. The pre-trial investigation continues.