DCEC, DIS joint operation busts drugs cartel

A joint operation by law enforcement agencies, Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC) and Directorate of Intelligence and Security (DIS), has resulted in the arrest of 10 people involved in the theft of medical drugs.The cartel has allegedly been selling the medical drugs to pharmacies, private hospitals and smuggling some to neighbouring countries.The joint operation is part of the law enforcement agencies to crack down the cartel operations which involves public officers. The first suspect to be arrested was found in possession of the drugs and money amounting to P82 000.Botswana has since March 2022 been battling a shortage of medication at public health facilities, a problem that has particularly affected children and those who suffer from chronic diseases and require constant medication.A number of factors have been cited as contributing to the shortage of medicines in Botswana. One was the lack of funding for the procurement of medicines, with the government accused of failing to allocate enough money to purchase medicines.In addition, there have been delays in the delivery of medicines from other countries due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This made it even harder for pharmacies to stay stocked up on essential medications.DCEC Public Relations Manager, Lentswe Motshoganetsi confirmed to Botswana Guardian that indeed an operation between the DCEC and the DIS led to the arrest of a man suspected to be transporting and selling ARV,Hypertension and Diabetes drugs stolen from Government clinics.According to Motshoganetsi, the investigations led to the arrest of nine more people hence in total 10 people are assisting the two agencies with investigations.Nine of the people, he said, are civil servants inclusive of Pharmacists and Nurses. He revealed that the said people are employees of Metlobo, Goodhope and Mmathethe clinics.“Their arraignment before court will depend on the trajectory of the investigations. Once all is complete, a docket will be prepared for prosecutions.“Kindly also note that we are not treating this matter as an isolated incident hence we will scan the Health Sector throughout the country so that such crimes could be curtailed should they exist elsewhere,” the DCEC spokesperson said.Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health said in a statement that it regrets the possibility that some of its staff could have been involved in stealing medications meant for the public.According to the ministry, such is not only criminal but will also be unethical and unbefitting for a health care worker, whose primary duty is to safeguard the health of their patients.The ministry expressed its desire that all medications bought by the government for public consumption should help save people’s life and not be used for personal gain.Botswana received three consignments of medicines early this year as part of a government programme to ease a shortage of drugs experienced by the country since early last year.In a statement, the ministry said the consignments, which were received on January 16, January 20 and January 23, comprised medications for conditions like hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, mental diseases, skin diseases, asthma, scabies and malaria.It said the latest consignment “also included painkillers, iron supplements, oral contraceptives, antibiotics and other categories of essential medications that have been in short supply in the country.”

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DCEC, DIS joint operation busts drugs cartel