In Argentina, during a six-month investigation, more than 82,000 vials of contaminated fentanyl, linked to 173 deaths, were seized. The raids took place in the provinces of Buenos Aires, Formosa, Córdoba, and Santa Fe. This case is considered one of the biggest public health tragedies in recent years in Argentina. As part of the 'Plan for the Judicial Recovery of Contaminated Fentanyl' and under the guidelines of the Ministry of National Security, officers from the Federal Department of Investigations (DFI) of the Argentine Federal Police carried out several operations where they seized over 82,000 vials of the altered opioid. The case, which was thoroughly investigated by the Argentine News Agency, began six months ago when the Justice system started receiving the first complaints about possible deaths linked to fentanyl, a figure that continued to rise. Following these events, the National Administration of Medicines, Food and Medical Technology (ANMAT) filed a complaint with the Division of Crimes against Public Health of the Federal Police, alerting to irregularities committed by one of the supplier laboratories. The case fell under the Federal Criminal and Correctional Court No. 3 in La Plata, headed by Ernesto Kreplak, who ordered to deepen the investigation tasks. As the investigation progressed, it was confirmed that behind the altered opioid contaminated with bacteria were the HLB Pharma and Ramallo S.A. laboratories, both belonging to the tycoon Ariel García Furfaro, who is detained and prosecuted. 187 pharmacies, sanatoriums, and clinics linked to the distribution of the product were also detected, of which 40 establishments had received vials from the compromised batches. In this way, the judicial authorities ordered raids in centers in Buenos Aires, Santa Fe, Córdoba, and Formosa, which concluded with the seizure of more than 82,000 vials. All the seized material was safeguarded under custody at the ANMAT facilities, and was also made available to the intervening magistrate.
