Pharmacists & Retailers Join Together to Launch Anti-‘Smurfing’ Campaign
3.5.18, Brandon Doyen, WABI5
AUGUSTA, Maine (WABI) – Retailers and pharmacists have joined together to educate the public about a criminal enterprise in Maine known as ‘smurfing’.
“‘Smurfing’ is the practice of basically hiring somebody to go to a pharmacy and purchase illegally pseudoephedrine containing products, which are behind the counter at the pharmacy,” said Cassandra Parsons, president of the Maine Pharmacy Association.
Pseudoephedrine, or PSE, is the FDA approved ingredient found in many over-the-counter cough, cold, and allergy medications.
Criminals sometimes divert PSE from its intended use to produce methamphetamine.
“Everyone knows that you can’t buy alcohol or tobacco for a minor, but not everyone knows that the same rules apply to many common cold and allergy medications,” said Amelia Arnold, board member of the Retail Association of Maine.
When purchasing Sudafed, Claritin, Mucinex, or any number of other cold meds, a customer must provide identification for the drug.
Read more here.