The Guàrdia Civil is investigating the manager of a supermarket in Ciutat Vella, in Barcelona, for an alleged crime against public health after locating honey sachets with sildenafil hidden among its components. The active substance, used with pharmacological action, appeared in products marketed under the Royal Honey brand.
Two operations and 246 envelopes seized
The investigation has resulted in the intervention of 246 envelopes in two police operations. In one of them, after a seizure carried out in December, the agents located another 86 additional envelopes displayed on the establishment's counters.
The seized products were 15-gram sachets from Thailand. During the checks, the investigated person handed the agents a false invoice when he was asked to justify the merchandise.
The Medicines Agency confirmed the substance
The Spanish Agency of Medicines confirmed the presence of sildenafil in these sachets. The investigation maintains that that substance was not declared on the product's labeling, despite its pharmacological effect.
"By containing an active substance with undeclared pharmacological action, these products become considered unauthorized medicines and their sale is prohibited" - Guàrdia Civil
From that confirmation, the agents attribute to the supermarket manager the sale of a product considered an unauthorized medicine. The case remains open and the man is listed as investigated for alleged sildenafil smuggling and for a crime against public health.