Malaysian authorities seize 'Viagra coffee' : report

Malaysia's health authorities have seized over 20,000 dollars worth of coffee mixed with sildenafil, the main ingredient in erectile dysfunction drug Viagra, a report said Sunday.

"The coffee mixture had been distributed in sachets nationwide," an official was quoted as saying by the New Sunday Times newspaper.

"Officers found 900 boxes containing more than 9,000 sachets of the coffee mixture which retailed for more than 80 ringgit (23 dollars) per box," the officer added without naming the coffee brand in question.

Enforcement officials said the coffee was mixed with sildenafil to "perk up" drinkers beyond the usual stimulation provided by caffeine.

Health authorities recently raided the distribution company located in Gombak, just north of the capital Kuala Lumpur, the report said.

It cited a health ministry official as saying the company used individuals to distribute the product in small quantities to evade detection by enforcement agencies.

"Investigations revealed that the distributor attempted to mislead the public by claiming that the coffee mixture could provide an energy boost, besides being beneficial for men," he added.

Two years ago Malaysia made its largest single drug bust when it seized at least four million dollars-worth of a fake erectile dysfunction treatment labelled "Miagra".

The counterfeit pills, closely resembling the blue pills of the genuine Viagra brand, were destined for Malaysian and Thai markets.

(c) 2009 AFP