A police operation in Unión de Reyes, Matanzas, has led to a man being charged with alleged crimes of speculation and hoarding of medications. Authorities seized 74 high-demand pharmaceutical and medical supply items during the raid.
This Tuesday, Radio Unión de Reyes reported that the operation was conducted by forces from the Ministry of the Interior (MININT) in that area. The citizen remains under precautionary measures as the case is processed by the prosecutors and courts.
Lieutenant Colonel Yasiel Prado Valdés, MININT's delegate in the municipality, stated that the investigation kicked off after repeated complaints from residents about the alleged illegal sale of medications at exorbitant prices.
Authorities claim that during the search of a house in Unión de Reyes, they seized 74 types of medications, along with other items of questionable origin.
The MININT maintains that these drugs, many of which are scarce in pharmacies and hospitals throughout the province, were allegedly hoarded for personal profit through illegal sales.
Following an inspection with healthcare specialists, officials announced that the confiscated medications would be returned to the public health system.
Dr. Raidel Sotes Carrera, the general director of Health in Unión de Reyes, noted that the recovered items ranged from antibiotics to gynecological and obstetric medications.
According to Sotes Carrera, some of these resources will be allocated to emergency rooms at health institutions, and depending on availability, they will also be used for controlled medications in local councils and for the needs of nursing homes and vulnerable patients.
He further mentioned that some of these medications would bolster currently deficient supplies for pregnant women under the Maternal and Infant Program (PAMI) and the municipal Maternal Home.
A video shared on Facebook reiterated that the individual is being prosecuted for alleged crimes related to speculation and hoarding of medical supplies and drugs.
The released information does not publicly identify the accused or provide their side of the story or that of their defense. It also doesn't specify what precautionary measure has been imposed.
This operation takes place amid a severe shortage of medications in Cuba, acknowledged by the authorities themselves.
In July 2025, Public Health Minister José Ángel Portal Miranda admitted to the National Assembly that the country had only about 30% of its essential medications and acknowledged that the sector's problems would not have an immediate solution.
The situation remained dire throughout 2026. In February, Portal once again acknowledged the lack of medications, supplies, and other resources, explaining that official measures were primarily aimed at rationalizing and concentrating available means.
Provincial data highlights the extent of the shortages.
In August, Ciego de Ávila authorities reported a shortage of 457 medications, with only around 10% of the essential list available.
The missing drugs included antibiotics, antihypertensives, anticonvulsants, sedatives, and cardiac medications.
Simultaneously, Cuban authorities have conducted other operations related to the alleged illegal sale of medications.
In early September, police confiscated several drugs in Santiago de Cuba that were reportedly being sold illicitly, according to a MININT source.
Similarly, in June, two women were arrested in Holguín for allegedly selling medications illegally, including domestically produced and controlled drugs, as per a MININT-related publication.
These arrests have also sparked numerous reactions from Cubans who pointed out that the informal market has become an alternative for many families in the face of a lack of medicines at state pharmacies.
In-Depth Look at Cuba's Medication Shortage Crisis
What prompted the police operation in Unión de Reyes?
The operation was initiated after authorities received numerous complaints from residents about the alleged illegal selling of medications at inflated prices.
What actions are being taken with the seized medications?
The confiscated medications will be returned to the public health system to help alleviate shortages in healthcare facilities.
How severe is the medication shortage in Cuba?
The shortage is critical, with reports indicating that only around 10% of essential medications were available in some regions, such as Ciego de Ávila.
Have there been other similar operations in Cuba recently?
Yes, there have been several operations, including one in Santiago de Cuba where drugs were seized, and another in Holguín where two women were arrested for selling medications illegally.