The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has arrested eight hawkers in the city for peddling drugs including body enhancement pills designed to give bigger buttocks and sexual stimulant products without a license.
The eight were arrested on Thursday during a market surveillance exercise at the Agbogbloshie market by Public Health Officers of the AMA to maintain the sanity of the market.
Among them were Jacob K. 52, Kojo Boakye 44, Solomon Kechi 32, John Dina 27, Samuel Tapany 26, Emmanuel Mbenembe 20, Sampson Ntelan 24, and Jacob Nenya 24.
The seized drugs unlicensed, and unregistered include penis enlargement creams, delay spray, Bazooka, Ronaxicam Capsules, Percam Capsules, Trozem Capsules, Dipex, Fenrona, Ibugloplus, Omeprazole, Ronfit Forte, Escotrim ads, 3 Days Hip-up, Hyorgra 200, Ostnac among others.
Briefing the media after the operation the Head of the Environmental Health Department of the AMA, Florence Kuukyi, said the arrested individuals would be placed in police custody pending court action.
She expressed concerns over the fact that the medicines being sold by the peddlers were always in the sun, and very difficult to even tell their expiry dates adding that their activities pose serious health challenges.
“We have arrested some people for selling drugs to the public without a license... The point is that they don’t even know the composition of the drugs...Moreover, these drugs are supposed to be stored in cool environments to prevent chemical reactions from the hot sun but what we see is the opposite, " she said.
She advised the public to avoid buying drugs from unauthorized dealers because it could cause severe damage to their health. Individuals should ensure they visit a pharmacy or hospital for drugs to be prescribed for them when unwell.