By Rachael Burford
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Illegal erectile disfunction pills and powerful prescription drugs have been found on sale in souvenir stores across London’s West End.
Sachets and blister packs of imported sex drug Kamagra, an Indian-made medicine which is banned in the UK, were seized by Westminster Council during routine visits to four shops last month.
Trading Standards officers also confiscated quantities of Diazepam, used to treat seizures, and Alprazolam, a drug prescribed to manage anxiety disorders and depression but which is often abused for its euphoric effects.
Powerful painkiller Zapain, which contains codeine, was also found on sale during the sweeps.
At Big Bite in Wardour Street, officers recovered 840 Kamagra tablets worth almost £6,000.
The pills were being sold individually under the counter for £7 each, the council revealed on Thursday.
Aicha Less , deputy leader and cabinet member for consumer protection at Westminster City Council, said: “Our officers found these drugs while we were on routine searches for unsafe food products – it wasn’t something we expected to come across.
“The worrying reality is any customer buying these pills is playing Russian roulette with their health.
“Aside from reports of potentially lethal side effects, there is no way of knowing what is actually in a £7 pill – it could be talcum powder or something far more noxious.”
Kamagra has the same active ingredient as Viagra but is banned in Britain because it has not undergone safety tests and has been linked to dangerous side effects, including an increased risk of heart attacks.
Officers visited Shaftesbury Food & Wine in Shaftesbury Avenue, Cigarettes Mini Store in Coventry Street and DoDo Supermarket in Frith Street as well as Big Bite.
It was not just dodgy drugs that were confiscated.
Inspectors also scooped up illegal disposable vapes, counterfeit Paddington Bear T-shirts and fake Labubu dolls as well as illicit tobacco during their raids.
