Police seize almost £800,000 worth of illegal prescription tablets

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Potential harm to the public has been reduced with the seizure of almost £800,000 worth of illegal prescription tablets, a senior police officer has said. “Whilst the figures are a welcome reflection of tremendous collective efforts, they’re also however a worrying sign of the reality, and that’s the demand for and misuse of prescription drugs.” “The supply of unlicensed or counterfeit pills pose a serious risk to public health. “It’s a vicious cycle that we need to collectively break.” Peter May, permanent secretary at the department of health, said people are often unaware of the potentially fatal consequences of taking unprescribed drugs, particularly when taken with alcohol, “The medicines recovered were destined for addresses throughout Northern Ireland which highlights that none of our communities are immune from the dangers presented by drugs like these,” he said. “Those who buy from illegal sources do so without knowing where the tablets originated or what they really contain, so I would urge the public not to be tempted by what look like cut prices or professional looking websites offering websites without prescription.” Richard Pengelly, permanent secretary at the department of justice, said we can “only imagine” how many lives have been saved by the seizure of the drugs.