C.B.P. News Release

CBP Stops Illegal Prescriptions at Detroit Airport

(Friday, July 24, 2009)

Detroit — U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Port of Detroit Metropolitan Airport seized approximately 1,500 pills of prescribed medications including Glyciphage, Glybovin, Zenflox, Diovan, Osteofos, Piopar, and Restyl being brought into the United States by a U.S. citizen returning from India. All medications require a prescription from a doctor. After contacting the Food and Drug Administration all medications were seized.

The passenger, from Spring Valley, Ill., arrived on a flight from Amsterdam after a 10-day trip to India. He was referred to secondary for further examination. During the exam of his luggage officers found prescription medications that the individual failed to declare he was bringing into the U.S.

The passenger stated that he had purchased the medication in India for his wife. He stated neither he nor his wife had a prescription for the medication. The individual also had several counterfeit DVDs, computer software and computer games that he failed to declare that were discovered during the exam of his luggage. After all the items were seized, the passenger was allowed to continue his travel.

It is the mission of CBP within the Department of Homeland Security to manage, control and protect the nation’s borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws. By working in partnership with the FDA, CBP helps to ensure that only legal prescribed medications are allowed to enter into the U.S.

According to Kimberly Nott, acting port director, “The illegal importation of prescribed medications is a growing concern in that it is difficult, at our ports of entry, to verify if the medications are genuine or meet the standards established by the FDA. CBP works closely with FDA to stem the flow of illegally prescribed medications.â€