Unveiling a Toxic Secret: Apartment Raid Uncovers 2,000 Boxes of Cheap, Dangerous Botox with Profits Exceeding $1.5 Million: A Thriving Enterprise with 1,000 Orders per Month.

According to Xinhua News, in October 2024, after a period of surveillance and investigation, the Lanzhou City Police Department conducted a surprise inspection of an apartment belonging to a man named Gong Shao.

The police discovered that Gong Shao’s apartment was filled with boxes of Botox (a substance used in cosmetic procedures to reduce wrinkles) with no labels. The boxes were simply marked with colors such as “red type”, “white type”, and “pearl type”.

Gong Shao admitted to having approximately 2,000 boxes of unlabeled and unverified Botox in his possession.

Investigator Wang Hongbin, deputy captain of the investigation team, stated that in China, cosmetic Botox is strictly regulated by the National Medical Products Administration and the Ministry of Health. Companies wishing to sell Botox must undergo quality inspections and obtain permits.

However, Gong Shao was unable to present a license for selling Botox, and the police immediately arrested him for further investigation.

Sophisticated Illegal Trading Scheme

Investigator Wang Yuan revealed that the suspect had been purchasing cheap Botox produced abroad through a special trading software. The products were smuggled into the country and stored in a warehouse located 2 kilometers away from Gong Shao’s apartment. The suspect then used a separate phone to advertise on various social media platforms.

When an order was placed, he would use a fake name and disposable phone number to arrange for delivery to the customer. Gong Shao sold the Botox at a significant markup to spas and small beauty salons that lacked proper licensing. These unlicensed establishments often lacked certified aestheticians.

The original price of one box of Botox is 80 RMB (approximately 292,000 VND), increasing to 120 RMB (approximately 438,000 VND) during peak months. However, Gong Shao sold each box for 1,300 RMB (approximately 4.7 million VND) to these unlicensed businesses.

On average, Gong Shao sold over 1,000 units of Botox per month, generating a monthly revenue of more than 300,000 RMB (over 1 billion VND). It is estimated that he illegally profited more than 10 million RMB (over 36.5 billion VND) from these sales.

In addition to the issue of unverified sources, the police also discovered that the Botox boxes were not stored properly (they require cold storage at 2-8°C). At the apartment and warehouse, the boxes were stacked on top of refrigerators. Only a small number of orders included ice packs during transportation, while the majority were shipped at room temperature.

Risks of Using Low-Quality Botox

Dr. Wang Yongqiang, head of the Burn and Cosmetic Surgery Department at Gansu Province’s People’s Hospital No. 2, warned that using cheap, unverified Botox can pose significant health risks, including infections, facial deformities, and eye damage.

Expert Wang Yongqiang advised: “When considering cosmetic procedures or Botox injections, individuals should always choose reputable establishments with certified aestheticians. It is crucial to carefully read the labels and verify the information of the Botox manufacturer to ensure your safety.”