Pharmacy and Poisons Board busts 71 chemists in Mombasa selling illegal drugs

The Kenya Pharmacy and Poisons Board on Wednesday busted 71 chemists at the Coast selling illegal drugs.

The board further closed all the affected chemists indefinitely as the operators were set to be arrested. Details of the contraband drugs were not released.

Officer in charge of Surveillance Dr Dominic Kariuki told reporters that the facilities had been found non-compliant after a three-week crackdown in the region.

Kenya Pharmacy and Poisons Board busts 71 chemists in Mombasa selling illegal drugs Pulse Live Kenya

In recent months, the Pharmacy Board has banned sale of Zantac, an anti-acid drug after it was found to have some cancer-causing elements.

The Coastal region of Kenya is said to be the main access point for drug traffickers in Kenya.

DCI destroys cocaine

In an unrelated incident, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations boss George Kinoti on Wednesday led the destruction of 100 kilograms of cocaine at the DCI headquarters along Kiambu Road.

According to a brief by the department, the destruction was in line with court procedures that was overseen by Justice Luka Kimaru.

"About 100KGS of Cocaine worth over Kshs. 598 Million to be destroyed today [Wednesday] at DCI HQS Forensic Lab Incinerator.

"The said cocaine was confiscated on 29th July, 2016 from a Container at Mombasa Port while being smuggled into the country, with DCI Anti-Narcotics Unit Detectives leading the Investigations," the brief read in part.