Six figure sum of botulinum toxin stolen from raid on warehouse
Boxes of botulinum toxin worth an estimated six figure sum have been stolen during a raid on Dental Directory’s warehouse in Witham, Essex.
The break-in happened between 20:00 GMT on Saturday and midnight on Sunday (March 2-3). Police claimed the boxes were mainly labelled as Azzalure.
Essex Police said there were at least four men, and believed a white Ford Transit van was used in the raid.
Det Sgt Richard Newton told the BBC the medicines needed to be stored "appropriately" to be "safe" and warned, “As with any drugs used in medical procedures, it must only be administered by people who are appropriately trained.
"I'd ask anyone who is involved in cosmetic procedures who has been offered these items for sale recently and is suspicious of where they came from to please let us know.
“We are also keen to speak to anyone who has any information about the burglary.”
Paul Charlson, president of the British College of Aesthetic Medicine commented, ““Botulinum toxin is a prescription medicine and each vial will require a prescription. If a supplier does not ask for this then they are likely to not to be bona fide. Furthermore the practitioner has a responsibility to ensure the medicine they inject is safe and therefore must come from a reputable source. The cold chain of transmission also needs to be assured. This is not likely to happen with stolen toxin.”
Anyone with information should call Braintree CID on 101 quoting reference 42/30285/19 or report information online.
