AMA Busts Nigerians Selling ‘Heart-Cleansing’ Drugs

The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has busted a team of Nigerians operating a retail drugs store in the capital.

The three until January 5 were into the sale of aphrodisiacs and a purported heart-cleansing liquid drug.

Without proper labelling, manufacturing details, and expiration dates, the drugs, according to the AMA, were displayed for sale with the information that they cleanse the heart.

However, Gilbert Ankrah, Head of Public Affairs at the AMA, indicated that during initial examinations by the Head of the Public Health Department at the AMA, the liquid melted a plastic takeaway pack when poured onto it.

Persons who consumed the drug are said to have felt some burning sensation around their heart thinking it was indeed cleansing it.

The three Nigerien nationals identified as Ibrahim Bashiru, 25, Mohammed Abu Qassim, 27, and Abdul Salam Abass 27, were arrested on Friday, January 5, 2024, after a tip-off and are currently aiding in investigations to ascertain the origin and composition of the substance.

A communiqué issued by the AMA said, it “was collaborating with the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) as well as relevant agencies to assess the full extent of the public health risk posed by the illicit substance, adding that the AMA was committed to ensuring a thorough investigation and taking necessary actions to prevent further harm to the public.”