Illegal Botox Smuggling Operation Uncovered in Spain
Spanish authorities have uncovered an illegal operation involving the smuggling of botulinum toxin, commonly known as Botox, from Asia. The products, while not counterfeit, were unauthorized for use in Spain as they had not passed European Union controls. The investigation, dubbed Operation Kalopsia, led to the discovery of a complex network of illegal Botox clients.
Investigation Leads to Arrests and Clinic Closures
The Guardia Civil’s central operational unit (UCO) and Spain’s national tax agency (AEAT) identified the owners and employees of aesthetic centres that allegedly used these illegal products. The investigation has resulted in 41 people being under scrutiny, including two doctors, and the owner of a Marbella aesthetic clinic who was arrested and her premises shut down.
Two Types of Centres Identified
Investigators distinguished between two types of centres: those authorized to carry out “skin inward treatments” with qualified doctors in charge, and those that can only carry out “skin outward activities”, such as beautician centres, hairdressers or clandestine premises. In many of these centres, treatments were carried out with both legally acquired Botox and the smuggled Korean Botox.
Extent of the Illegal Operation
During the inspection of the Marbella clinic, investigators found some 1,500 informed consents signed by clients, indicating the scale of the operation. Treatment costs varied, with the official product costing between 300 and 400 euros, while in the clandestine centres it could be half the price or less.
Operation Kalopsia Extends to Other Provinces
The operation was extended to the provinces of Alicante, Madrid, Cadiz, Murcia, Cordoba and Seville, where 18 other establishments were inspected. Two other doctors and at least seven nurses are being investigated for injecting Botox into their clients in these provinces.
Seizure of Illegal Products and Equipment
In these actions, 700 vials of Botox, 275 vials of hyaluronidase, more than 200 containers of lidocaine, and over a thousand pre-filled syringes of hyaluronic acid were seized, along with specific machinery such as centrifuges for carrying out plasma rich in platelets treatments.
Charges and Alleged Fraud
The individuals under investigation have been charged with alleged offences against public health, fraud, professional intrusion and membership of a criminal organisation. The agents believe that the fraud was proven by administering an illegal product in Spain with characteristics and a leaflet incomprehensible to the vast majority of the clientele.
Illegal Importation and Distribution
A man in Marbella was also arrested for his alleged role in the importation and distribution of the vials, which entered through the shipping port and airport of Seville. The Korean Botox was transported in boxes or containers without the appropriate thermal conditions required for these products.
Money Laundering Network Uncovered
The investigation also uncovered a money laundering network that channelled the cash from the treatments through Latvia or Bulgaria. The organisation’s business was to offer these vials to its ‘associated’ clinics at competitive prices, especially through social media networks, where tracking of these clandestine services is much more difficult for the authorities.
