Supplies Seized from Hoarders Given to Iran Medical Centers
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Several big consignments seized by the Iranian Intelligence Ministry from hoarders of medical supplies have been given to medical centers and hospitals amid the growing need for the facilities in the battle with the novel coronavirus.
The Intelligence Ministry said its forces have discovered large amounts of medical and sanitary products stored by hoarders after the outbreak of COVID-19 in Iran.
In several operations in the province of Tehran in recent weeks, many of them carried out after receiving reports from the citizens, the intelligence forces have discovered nearly 280,000 liters of alcohol and disinfectants, some 550,000 face masks, around 130,000 rubbing alcohol pads, medical covers, sanitary gel, eyewear, 11,000 meters of fabric for mask production, and more than 41 million medical gloves.
The confiscated commodities have been handed over to the Coronavirus Fight Headquarters in the province of Tehran to be distributed among hospitals and medical centers.
Demand for medical supplies and health products has grown in Iran in recent weeks following the outbreak of coronavirus.
Iran’s Judiciary Chief Hojatoleslam Ebrahim Raeisi has ordered severe punishment for hoarding pharmaceutical and health products as Iranian organizations and government bodies are heavily engaged in efforts to contain COVID-19 outbreak.
The health of people would never be up for bargain, Raeisi has said, noting that hoarding medical commodities in the current circumstances is playing with the lives of people and could not be forgiven by any means.
Last week, 10 individuals charged with hoarding health supplies and disrupting Iran’s economy stood trial.
Despite the urgent need for sanitary products in the country, the defendants intended to smuggle 2,600,000 masks to China.
