Generic drugs online

Source: The Ashburton Guardian

Date: 20-Dec-2007

Author: Erin Bishop

Illegal drug manufacture could have been the motivation behind a break-in at Ashburton’s UFS Pharmacy in the early hours of yesterday morning.

Ashburton police intelligence officer Mark Prendergast said the offender or offenders responsible for the burglary had gained entry to the East Street shop by smashing a hole in the roof before getting away with a quantity of pharmacy medication.

The shop’s alarm system was activated at 3.20am and Chubb Security was on the scene within 10 minutes, pharmacist Henriette Schoeman said. But the culprits had already left the scene, having cleared the pharmacy’s controlled drug safe and leaving behind a few dropped boxes.

“They are definitely drug shoppers, they knew what they were after,” Mrs Schoeman said.

On entering the shop those responsible gathered up a quantity of pharmacy medication, the type and nature of which have yet to be verified, before making their escape, Mr Prendergast said. While it had not been confirmed, there could be a possible link to the manufacture of illegal drugs, he said. “It’s probable that the motivation of the burglary was to assist in the manufacture of P.”

Mrs Schoeman said the value of the items taken from the shop, was not huge, but she expected they would have a street value in the thousands of dollars.

It was believed those responsible gained access to the roof via the rear of the East Street shops and police want to hear from anyone who may have spotted suspicious activity in the area.

“There’s a degree of planning that goes into a burglary when you’ve decided you’re going to enter via the roof,” Mr Prendergast said.

Mrs Schoeman said she now felt insecure and as though her privacy had been invaded.

Despite having a monitored alarm and what they thought was a secure locking up practice, the pharmacy would now be looking at ways to upgrade its security, she said.

Mr Prendergast said there may have been people in the Moore Street or Tancred Street areas at around 3.20am yesterday who may have seen people or vehicles acting in a suspicious manner and police would like anyone with information to contact them on 307-8400.