Burkina Faso breaks up international network selling abortion pills
Burkina Faso authorities have announced the dismantling of an international network engaged in the illegal sale of abortion drugs, based in the capital city of Ouagadougou. The network employed social networks and delivery services to distribute banned pharmaceutical products, consequently endangering public health.
According to the national police, the operation led to the detention of three active members of the network, including medical personnel and intermediaries. The police also confiscated a large quantity of illegal abortion medications. Initial investigations reveal that these products were transported from a neighboring country by couriers before being redistributed locally.
The network used social networks to promote its services. Customers could place orders online and make payments via electronic platforms. The drugs were delivered in sealed parcels, avoiding routine checks. This sophisticated modus operandi allowed the illegal activity to flourish for some time before the police intervened.
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The sale of abortifacient drugs without medical supervision poses serious health risks to users due to the dubious quality of these products, which can lead to serious or even fatal medical complications. The authorities in Burkina Faso stress that abortion is strictly regulated by law and can only be carried out under medical supervision in very specific circumstances.
This dismantling effort reveals the alarming scale of the illegal medicine trade in the region. Authorities are calling on the public to report any suspicious activity and reminding them of the crucial importance of purchasing medicines solely from authorized sources.
This case also emphasises the role of social networks in facilitating such criminal networks, prompting the authorities to strengthen their digital surveillance to prevent further offences. Burkina Faso, which grapples with numerous security challenges, is thus demonstrating its commitment to combat criminal networks that jeopardise the health and safety of its citizens.
