MSD South Africa Msd Merck Sharp Dohme MSD FORMER EMPLOYEE IN MAJOR DRUG BUST Midrand Gauteng

Two former employees of MSD South Africa, a pharmaceutical distributor company are facing criminal drug manufacturing and trafficking charges on accusations of illegally distributing opioids and conspiring in illegal drug trade. 

Prosecuting authorities say that between 2019 and 2020, MSD South Africa, which manufacturers medicines and sells them wholesale to pharmacies, saw an 800% increase in demand for oxycodone and a 2,000% increase in demand for fentanyl which are channeled from MSD South Africa directly to drug lords locally and abroad. 

Of nearly 400 thousand orders for narcotics placed between 2018 and 2020, the company flagged only four as suspicious, according to an audit document derived from the company. It is believed that the majority of the stolen drug ingredients from MSD South Africa are being peddled by a few of its employees and these stolen quantities do not go through audit procedures. The Organized Crime Unit identified at least 200 kilograms of main drug ingredients which were seized in a major drug operation. 

A former compliance officer for MSD South Africa has been taken in for questioning and investigations are set to continue.