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North Wales Police is investigating allegations that illegal weight loss medicines are being advertised online and sold in beauty salons in Wrexham and Flintshire.

The force, who said its investigation is “in its early stages” and “ongoing”, issued search warrants for three premises where Retatrutide, which is still going through clinical trials to assess its safety and effectiveness and has not been approved for use or sale in the UK, is thought to have been seized.

The force also said “suspected” counterfeit medications “purporting to be Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) and Semaglutide (Ozempic)” were recovered. Three arrests were made on suspicion of fraud by false representation.

Detective Inspector Claire Roberts said: “We are urging people to be cautious and ask anyone with information in connection with the sale of counterfeit weight-loss medication to contact us.”

Rick Lines, head of Public Health Wales’ substance misuse programme, warned the public against buying prescription medicines “from unofficial sources online or through social media groups”.

Urging people concerned about their weight or any other health issue to speak to a GP or pharmacist, he said: “Some drugs sold through unofficial sources, including those advertised for weight loss, may contain the wrong ingredients, dangerous levels of active substances or no active ingredient at all.

“Using prescription medicines without proper medical supervision can lead to serious side effects, unexpected interactions with other drugs, or harm to your health.”