Tunisia – Three doctors and pharmacist arrested in drug trafficking case

On Friday evening, the Manouba Court of First Instance’s prosecution authorized the incarceration of seven people. This group includes three people arrested on the A03 highway in Borj Al-Amri on Thursday, discovered transporting narcotic tablets, alongside three physicians from the capital and a pharmacy owner from Jendouba. These medical professionals are accused of issuing prescriptions and narcotics to the traffickers.

This decision follows an inquiry by the National Guard’s Research and Inspection Division in Tebourba, prompted by a traffic stop conducted last Thursday near Borj Al-Amri. During this operation, officers intercepted a car from Jendouba with three occupants late at night. A search disclosed 993 narcotic tablets, especially 588 Parkizol and 405 Temesta tablets, which are usually dispensed by prescription.

With the Public Prosecutor’s Office’s approval, the car’s occupants were imprisoned. Further inquiries led to the identification of the doctors who had issued the prescriptions and the pharmacy owner implicated. Actions were coordinated with Jendouba’s security units to address the pharmacy owner, who was questioned in Tebourba and subsequently detained.

This incident marks the second operation of its sort within a week, involving the Tebourba traffic units and the National Guard’s search and inspection team. The earlier operation resulted in the detention of three individuals from Beja, along with a doctor and a pharmacy owner, for issuing unwarranted medical prescriptions. Legal proceedings were initiated against them for different charges related to the illegal handling and distribution of narcotic tablets, leading to the issuance of prison warrants by the investigating judge.