Counterfeit Weight-Loss Injections Lead to Gang Bust in Brazil

Brazilian Police Bust Gang Selling Counterfeit Weight-Loss Drugs Santa Catarina, Brazil – In a major crackdown on counterfeit medications, Brazilian authorities arrested a member of a criminal gang responsible for repackaging and selling expired insulin as weight-loss injections. The operation, conducted by the Santa Catarina Civil Police, targeted a group operating in the state's northern coastal region. The investigation was launched after a woman who purchased the counterfeit medication suffered severe adverse reactions, requiring intensive care. "The gang was taking expired insulin and repackaging it to sell as weight-loss products," stated a spokesperson for the Santa Catarina Civil Police. "This is a serious crime that endangers public health." During the operation, police raided several locations in Jaraguá do Sul and Canoinhas, seizing numerous boxes and packages containing counterfeit medications. Authorities also identified additional targets in Goiás, believed to be a supply source for the gang. The confiscated products included not only the repackaged insulin but also anabolic steroids and abortion pills. The case highlights the growing threat of counterfeit pharmaceuticals and the importance of vigilance in protecting public health.