SINGAPORE - The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) has seized more than $200,000 worth of illegal health products from a Geylang apartment, the highest value yet in any operation this year.
The haul included more than 94,000 units of what were mainly sexual enhancement drugs, with a total of 80 different types of products. The stash had been discovered during a routine enforcement check on May 18 by the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA), which alerted HSA.
A 22-year-old male Chinese national is currently assisting in investigations, said the HSA and ICA in a statement on Wednesday. The statement also cautioned the public about purchasing health products from "dubious sources" such street peddlers, as these products may be illegal, counterfeit or substandard.
Illegal health products may contain undeclared or potent ingredients which can be harmful. In particular, drugs used to treat erectile dysfunction are prescription medicines which should only be taken under medical supervision. Taking these drugs unsupervised may be dangerous for patients with medical conditions such as heart problems (www.healthdangers.sg has more on the dangers of illegal health products).
As illegal health products often contain substances controlled under the Poisons Act, it is an offence for an unlicensed person to import, sell or possess for sale any product containing these substances.
Anyone found guilty of an offence under the Poisons Act could face a fine of up to $10,000 and/or imprisonment for up to two years.
Members of the public can report any illegal activity involving health products to the Enforcement Branch of HSA on 6866-3485 during office hours or e-mail hsa_is@hsa.gov.sg
