Recusal of Ernesto Kreplak in the trial over the deaths caused by contaminated fentanyl that was distributed by HLB Pharma
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In a decisive step toward judicial transparency, the Government of Javier Milei announced that it will request the recusal of federal judge Ernesto Kreplak, who is in charge of the investigation into the most severe health crisis since the creation of ANMAT: the case of the 97 deaths caused by contaminated fentanyl. The main reason is his family connection with Buenos Aires Health Minister Nicolás Kreplak, since the laboratory HLB Pharma—the main supplier for that ministry—is one of the main parties implicated.
This measure comes after three months of questioning in Congress regarding the slow progress of the investigation. Opposition deputies, such as Alejandro Finocchiaro (PRO), highlighted the ethical incompatibility: "Kreplak couldn't investigate his brother." Silvana Giudici, also from PRO, insisted that "the case is moving at a worryingly slow pace, especially since it's in the hands of the minister of Kicillof's brother."
Security Minister Patricia Bullrich confirmed that she is closely monitoring the case and trusts that the judge will know to step aside if his impartiality is compromised: "There is a laboratory and all eyes are on it; what happened with those who were supposed to control those medicines is key."
The tragedy is not limited to Buenos Aires: cases have already been confirmed in Formosa, Córdoba, Santa Fe, and Bahía Blanca. Meanwhile, a prosecutor's office is investigating ANMAT's actions over the past five years and has ordered expert analyses to determine whether there was diversion of fentanyl to drug trafficking. This Tuesday, Judge Kreplak ordered an analysis at the Faculty of Exact Sciences of La Plata to examine an uncontaminated vial and trace the drug's distribution chain.
Fentanilo contaminado distribuido por HLB Pharma.
In the Chamber of Deputies, the magnitude of the scandal caused an unusual political consensus. The Health Committee, chaired by Pablo Yedlin (UxP), unified requests for reports and acknowledged that this is "the worst contamination since the creation of ANMAT." Giudici insisted on creating a special investigative committee.
The origin of the case dates back to March, when the Ministry of Security inspected the implicated laboratories and found five kilograms (11 pounds) of fentanyl: four and a half kilograms (9.9 pounds) at HLB Pharma and half a kilogram (1.1 pounds) at Laboratorios Ramallo. Another four kilograms (8.8 pounds) had already been used to produce hospital vials. The businesspeople involved are prohibited from leaving the country and claim sabotage, pointing to former provincial deputy Andrés Quinteros as the alleged person responsible for an attempted theft for the black market.
One of the most sensitive lines of investigation seeks to confirm whether part of the production from HLB Pharma and Ramallo was deliberately diverted to illegal networks. Meanwhile, the national government is intensifying its efforts to ensure that the case is pursued to the fullest extent and that no political ties hinder the search for those responsible.
