Alarm as women hunt beauty drugs

08 Jun, 2014 - 00:06 0 Views
Alarm as women hunt beauty drugs

The Sunday Mail

Ind2Edwin Mwase and  Pamela Nyabadza
The authorities have recorded an increase in cases involving the smuggling and peddling of prohibited drugs and chemicals that supposedly enhance beauty and enlarge particular members of the body.Though the police could not readily state the quantities of intercepted substances and arrests, they confirmed that the figures have increased since last year.

An increasing number of Zimbabwean women of different age groups and backgrounds are believed to be turning to such substances, raising concerns that they risk developing serious diseases such as cancer.

While actual statistics are difficult to establish as purchases and application are usually covert, the distinct leap in trade appears to suggest a corresponding proliferation of users.

Their market in Zimbabwe is mainly concentrated in major urban centres on the black market, including salons.

Among the most common drugs are Apectine, Supa Apeti and Mega Apeti Carolite, which supposedly boost the size of one’s buttocks and breasts. Those who wish to lighten their skins often use creams such as Diprosone, Movate, Lemonvate, Corticosteroid, Cyproheptadine and Erpiderme.

The substances are prohibited as they contain harmful elements, among them mercury.

Information gathered last week indicates that most of the drugs and chemicals originate from Asia.

Suppliers ship them to designated points in Africa after which dealers push the consignments to different countries on the continent.
A peddler who operates in central Harare said the Nyamapanda and Chirundu border posts were the main trade routes into Zimbabwe.

Skin lightening creams range between US$1 and US$15 while drugs that enlarge particular body parts cost around US$20.

Chief Superintendent Luckson Mukazhi, the head of the Criminal Investigations Department (Drug Section), said the number of dealers arrested this year was higher than last year’s.

“Arrests of smuggling syndicates and dealers involved in prohibited substances have increased significantly, especially in the country’s northern borders,” said Chief Superintendent Mukazhi.

“We are not, however, at liberty to avail the actual statistics.”

Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (Mcaz) spokesperson Mr Richard Rukwati said his organisation was failing to effectively stamp out the trade given the traders’ and users’ covert operations.

“We would only be able to acquire significant information if we had knowledge about the illegal wholesalers of these substances. Our understanding is the peddlers who are actively involved in this trade are covert, which is the case with the users as well.

“We are failing to seize significant quantities of these products due to the subtle and tactful methods the smugglers and marketers use. The only way we can deal with this is if we receive co-operation from members of the public.”

Ms Christine Makuyana, a trader who operates in Harare’s Central Business District, said most of her customers were women aged between 20 and 40 years.

“Most of the products are in the region of US$1 for skin lightening creams whose cost can actually go up to US$15. The breast and buttock enlargement drugs cost US$20.

“We get 100 percent returns on most of the products and re-stock fortnightly. On average, I get 10 customers per day.”

 

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