Three more arrested in Gentamicin syndicate

By Precious Msosa

Barely days after a team of Mangochi police detectives and officials from the Pharmacy and Medicines Regulatory Authority pounced on Mary Julius, 24, on allegations that she was selling gentamicin injection as an HIV/AIDS medicine through her TikTok page on the internet, the same team has arrested three more suspects in connection to the malpractice.

Mangochi Police publicist Amina Tepani Daudi has so far identified the three as Molly Kainga, 34, Chisomo Chikopa, 27 and Steven Tanganyika aged 30.

The first suspect Mary Julius (Photo Credit: Mangochi Police)

She said during interrogation with the first apprehended suspect, she mentioned Kainga as her business partner and was arrested on March 5, 2024 in Salima where she also operates the Gammora business and was also found with bottles of gentamicin and Gammora stickers.

“Upon thorough questioning, the two revealed that they were working together with two others who both work in separate pharmacies within Mangochi Township and were suppliers of the Gentamicin Injection in the scheme,” said Amina Daudi.

The police publicist said the two then led the team to the places where Chipoka and Tanganyika were separately apprehended.

Amina Daudi said Kainga will answer charges of being found in possession of medical drugs without a license and theft while the other two have been charged with selling/supplying medicine without following prescription procedures.

The three other suspects (Photo Credit: Mangochi Police)

She said Kainga hails from Kalilombe village, Traditional Authority Chakhumbira in Ntcheu, Chikopa comes from Chamba village, Traditional Authority Mwambo in Zomba while Tanganyika comes from Kadewere village Traditional Authority Chimaliro in Thyolo.