Indian pharma company smuggles deadly Opioids into West Africa: Investigation exposes the truth

An investigation by BBC has uncovered a troubling operation where an Indian pharmaceutical company is producing dangerous opioids under the guise of legal medicines. 

These drugs, including tapentadol and carisoprodol, are extremely harmful and have been banned worldwide due to their severe impact on human health. 

Despite this, Mumbai-based Avio Pharmaceuticals has been manufacturing them and smuggling them into countries in West Africa, including Ghana, Nigeria, and Ivory Coast, causing millions of young lives to be at risk.

According to the investigation, Avio Pharmaceuticals is working in collaboration with another company, Westfin International, to distribute these harmful substances. 

These opioids, sold at a very low price, are targeting teenagers and young adults in these countries. 

The sale of these drugs is contributing to an alarming rise in deaths among the youth in West Africa.

The investigation, carried out secretly by the BBC‍‍`s Eye Investigation Unit, found shocking admissions from Vinod Sharma, a director at Avio Pharmaceuticals. 

In a recorded video, he confessed that his company has been marketing these deadly opioids as regular medicines, despite knowing the risks involved. 

He explained that this was merely a business strategy. This illicit operation has placed young people in West Africa in grave danger, with millions already using these substances. 

In Nigeria alone, over 4 million people are now addicted to these dangerous opioids, and the Nigerian government is struggling to combat the crisis.

The BBC investigation has revealed that the production of these drugs takes place in Mumbai at Avio Pharmaceuticals’ factory, with Westfin International playing a key role in getting them into the West African market. 

This illegal trade has escalated concerns over the impact of these opioids, with governments unable to stop the increasing number of users and the tragic rise in deaths.