GSK shipments stolen at gunpoint in Mexico, Argentina

Phil Taylor

12-Mar-2010

Robbers in balaclavas Last month GlaxoSmithKline was subject to robberies of two cargo shipments, one in Mexico and the other in Argentina, which back up the trend towards violent, armed theft of pharmaceuticals in some areas of the world.

Mexico, Argentina and Brazil have become particular hot spot for pharma thefts, which are often armed, according to recent data from Freightwatch International.

On February 23, a GSK shipment being carried by a third-party logistics provider was attacked en route between Mexico City and Monterrey after the driver pulled in at a fuel and retail outlet in Queretaro.

The driver was blindfolded, put in a separate vehicle and told to notify his dispatcher that he was travelling on to his destination, according to an alert issued by the Pharmaceutical Cargo Security Consortium.

The thieves made off with a range of GSK products such as Mejoralito, Niquitin Patches, Contac, Sensodyne and various Hinds brand products including Inspiracion.

Meanwhile, in Argentina three days later a GSK shipment carried by another third-party logistics firm was stolen from a secure distribution centre located in an industrial park near Buenos Aires.

Security cameras were attacked and a guard was assaulted. It is believed that as many as to two to three trucks were used to remove an over-the-counter ibuprofen product sold in Argentina under the IbuEvanol brand.

The value of the two stolen shipments has yet to be determined.

Related articles:

Americas seeing sharp rise in cargo theft

Cargo security initiative will kick off soon in USA

Five arrested for armed pharmacy van robbery

Cargo security: thefts, recoveries, and arrests

Armed raiders attack medicine shipments in Brazil

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