The Evening Star (April 20, 1946)
Berlin fake drug ring is smashed by Allies
BERLIN (AP) – Allied police announced today the discovery of a million-dollar cache of fake drugs which they said were prepared by a ring of German racketeers, all of whom are under arrest.
American and British intelligence agents jailed seven men and three women on charges of manufacture, possession and sale of fake penicillin, which they were accused of representing as the wonder drug which Army physicians use to combat venereal disease.
American military court agents identified the chief of the group as Peter Domke, 26, former German Army private. Agents said some of the fake penicillin found in his possession was poisonous. A Russian officer who received an injection now is in critical condition.
The fake drug was prepared in two forms – liquid and powdered – the authorities said. The solution was analyzed as ordinary glucose and the powder as a combination of face powder and crushed atabrine tablets normally used for malaria. The liquid was kept in glass vials, the powder in legitimate but stolen penicillin bottles.
The originator of the scheme paid seven marks (70 cents) for bottles, filled them with the fake drugs and sold the product for $300, the agents said. The powdered form in penicillin bottles brought from $1,000 to $1,500.
The scheme was uncovered when one of the ring got drunk and dropped a penicillin bottle in a beer bar.