A policeman. (Drawing) – Caroline Girardon
In appearance, they look like any other skin cream. With the difference that they contain toxic substances prohibited for sale in France. On Tuesday, nearly 1,400 jars and tubes of skin whitening cream were discovered in a cosmetics store in the Château-Rouge district, in the 18th arrondissement of Paris, learned 20 minutes police source. During the search, 7,800 euros were also seized.
The discovery of these products dangerous to health was made by the “salvage and counterfeiting” brigade attached to the 18th arrondissement police station, intrigued by certain jars highlighted in the shop window. Present during the search, an expert from the Ile-de-France Regional Health Agency confirmed the toxicity of these depigmenting creams. In France, certain lightening products are authorized for sale, but the most aggressive of them, in particular those containing hydroquinone, are prohibited.
Placed in custody, the manager of the store said he was unaware that the products offered were dangerous, said the same police source. He was summoned in October before the Paris Criminal Court.