Fentanyl: The government joins as a plaintiff in the deaths of 53 people

Federal judge of La Plata, Ernesto Kreplak, accepted the National Ministry of Health as a plaintiff in the case regarding the manufacture and distribution of contaminated fentanyl, which is believed to be linked to the deaths of 53 people in hospitals and clinics across the country. The request had been submitted by the health department led by Mario Lugones, with the aim of "collaborating in clarifying the case and ensuring the protection of public health."

This admission adds to that of Hospital Italiano de La Plata, the first institution to report contamination in fentanyl ampoules to ANMAT, where 18 patients were infected and 15 died.

ANMAT's role and monitoring of the laboratories involved

Under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Health, ANMAT (National Administration of Drugs, Food and Medical Technology), led by Nélida Bisio, had already initiated 267 proceedings against HLB Pharma Group S.A. and Laboratorios Ramallo, its exclusive manufacturer. Of that total, 117 cases are directly related to quality deviations, generating 133 health alerts.

The ampoules under investigation belong to batch 31202, with an expiration date in September 2026, and contained the bacteria Klebsiella pneumoniae MBL and Ralstonia pickettii.

The Government seeks to promote the investigation

In its request, the Ministry of Health's lawyers stated that "the National State has a legitimate interest" in participating in the process. They also offered to make technical, scientific, and human resources available to the judiciary for the collection of evidence and determination of responsibilities.

The case is being processed in Federal Criminal and Correctional Court No. 3 of La Plata, which is moving forward with the review of laboratory documentation and awaits key expert reports from the National Forensic Medical Corps, particularly the batch record of the contaminated lot: a technical document that records each stage of production, quality controls, and possible incidents.

Suspicions and tensions in the business environment

HLB Pharma Group is headed by Ariel García Furfaro, a businessman with political connections. His family controls both HLB and Laboratorios Ramallo. Furfaro's mother, Nilda, and his brother Damián García are among the main authorities. The brothers' grandmother, Olga Luisa Arena, and the lawyer Ariel Fernando García are also part of the board of directors.

The individuals under investigation claim to be victims of a smear campaign driven by competitors and former employees, and deny any negligence. Meanwhile, ANMAT suspended production at both laboratories, resulting in layoffs and wage disputes.

Strange incidents and key documentation

An incident that sparked controversy was the vandalism of HLB Pharma's headquarters in San Isidro, reported on May 11, the same day the first three deaths from fentanyl were confirmed. Videos recorded by employees show ransacked offices, papers on the floor, graffiti with criticism, and black bags containing health documentation.

Additionally, witnesses mentioned that trucks from the agricultural company 3Arroyos—also linked to Furfaro—may have removed documentation and products days before the raids. However, the theft report was not filed by the laboratory owners and, so far, there is no public evidence to support these suspicions.

Judge Kreplak is awaiting technical reports and expert opinions to move forward with the indictment of those responsible. The case remains under seal, and the seized documentation will be key to determining whether there was negligence, cover-up, or deliberate action in the production of the contaminated batch that resulted in the deaths of dozens of patients.