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Argentina processes former health officials in fentanyl contamination case
Federal Judge Ernesto Kreplak has processed former health officials Nélida Agustina Bisio, ex-director of ANMAT, and Gabriela Mantecón Fumadó, ex-director of INAME, in connection with a contaminated fentanyl scandal in Argentina. The investigation follows the deaths of approximately 114 people and injuries to dozens more after the administration of adulterated fentanyl produced by HLB Pharma Group S.A. and Laboratorios Ramallo S.A.
Kreplak ruled that both officials were necessary participants in the crime of “adulteration of medicinal substances” due to their failure to implement timely preventive and corrective measures despite known irregularities. The judge imposed an embargo of 500,000 million pesos on their assets, prohibited them from leaving the country, and ordered them to report to authorities monthly. Both women were previously detained but released upon paying a 75 million peso bail.
The case highlights systemic failures, as investigations revealed that laboratories had multiple production alerts and manufacturing deficiencies—including a December 2024 inspection finding critical flaws—yet continued operations. The contaminated batches were in circulation for months before the laboratories were ordered to close in March 2025. The investigation also noted a discrepancy between political decisions from the Ministry of Health and the technical omissions within ANMAT and INAME.
Entities
ANMAT · Ernesto Kreplak · Gabriela Mantecón Fumado · HLB Pharma · HLB Pharma Group S.A. · Laboratorios Ramallo · Nélida Agustina Bisio
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] In Santa Fe province, 69 people died, including 51 in the city of Rosario. carlosdelfrade.com.ar · lastoscasmultimedios.com.ar
- [○ 1 SOURCE] A December 2024 inspection of the Ramallo plant detected critical and major manufacturing deficiencies. www.rionegro.com.ar
- [● 2 SOURCES] The contaminated fentanyl business caused 114 deaths and left 49 survivors across Argentina. carlosdelfrade.com.ar · lastoscasmultimedios.com.ar
- [DISPUTED] Twelve people have been processed in the case, including HLB owner Ariel García Furfaro, who remains in custody. www.rionegro.com.ar
- [● 2 SOURCES] There were 118 alerts regarding production failures at the laboratories before the deaths occurred. carlosdelfrade.com.ar · lastoscasmultimedios.com.ar
- [● 2 SOURCES] The order to close HLB Pharma and Laboratorios Ramallo was not issued until March 15, 2025. carlosdelfrade.com.ar · lastoscasmultimedios.com.ar
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The first shipment of the contaminated lot, identified as 31202, occurred on January 30, 2025. www.rionegro.com.ar
- [DISPUTED] Judge Ernesto Kreplak processed former ANMAT officials Nélida Agustina Bisio and Gabriela Mantecón Fumadó without pretrial detention. www.rionegro.com.ar · www.centraldenoticiasmadariaga.com · www.losprimeros.tv · www.borderperiodismo.com · elfuertediario.com.ar · +1 more
- [● 7 SOURCES] Judge Ernesto Kreplak imposed an embargo of 500,000 million pesos on the assets of both former officials. www.centraldenoticiasmadariaga.com · www.losprimeros.tv · www.borderperiodismo.com · elfuertediario.com.ar · cuestionentrerriana.com.ar · +2 more