According to international police, 400 bottles of fake vaccine have been found in a warehouse outside the South African capital Johannesburg.
Security officials in China and South Africa have seized thousands of falsified doses of the coronavirus vaccine, global Interpol police station revealed Wednesday.
International police said in a statement that 400 vials, equivalent to about 2,400 doses, of the fake vaccine were found in a Germiston warehouse outside Johannesburg, South Africa, where officers also found fake masks and arrested three Chinese citizens and a Zambian national. .
“Since COVID-19 reached the coasts of South Africa, the government has adopted an integrated multidisciplinary approach to law enforcement,” said Brigadier General Vish Naidoo, spokesman for the South African National Police, according to Interpol’s statement.
“This, along with our association with counterparts from all Interpol member countries, is proving to be very effective, as we have seen in the arrests of foreigners trying to sell bogus vaccines to unsuspecting people in South Africa.”
In China, police have successfully identified a network selling fake COVID-19 vaccines in an investigation supported by Interpol, which has 194 member states.
Police raided the production building, which resulted in the arrest of about 80 suspects and seized more than 3,000 fake vaccines on the spot, he said.
“The Chinese government attaches great importance to vaccine security. The Chinese police are conducting a targeted campaign to prevent and tackle vaccine-related crimes, ”said a spokesman for China’s public security ministry.
‘Tip of the iceberg’
Earlier this year, Interpol issued an “Orange Notice” warning to authorities around the world to prepare for organized crime networks targeting COVID-19 vaccines, both physical and online.
“While we welcome this result, it is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to COVID-19-related crime,” said Interpol Secretary General Juergen Stock.
Interpol said it also received additional reports of fake vaccine distribution in nursing homes.
“There are currently no approved vaccines for sale online. Any vaccine advertised on websites or on the dark web is not legitimate, has not been tested and could be dangerous, ”the statement said.
“Anyone who buys these drugs is putting themselves in danger and giving their money to organized criminals.”
Stock had warned in an interview with German weekly Wirtschafts Woche in December of a surge in crime due to the roll-out of vaccines, with thefts and warehouse break-ins and attacks on vaccine shipments.