Interpol, global regulators seize $7 million worth of counterfeit drugs
Interpol has arrested 72 people for selling millions of dollars’ worth of counterfeit drugs in a global dragnet across 89 countries during Operation Pangea. The international law enforcement agency said they seized $7 million worth of drugs, more than closed 1,300 websites, and initiated 325 new investigations between 3-10 October.Since 2008, Interpol has conducted an annual dragnet called Operation Pangea, where the agency has coordinated raids across a wide array of countries. In the latest operation, the organization again found that erectile dysfunction drugs accounted for the largest share of counterfeit drugs at 22%. Anti-anxiety drugs and stimulants accounted for 19%, and sex hormones and gastrointestinal drugs accounted for 12%.
“Counterfeit medicines and the misuse of regulated medication is a significant threat to public safety around the world,” said Interpol Secretary General Jürgen Stock. “Operation Pangea XVI removed a large amount of illegal and potentially life-threatening products off the streets and dismantled criminal networks trafficking such goods.”
“The operation underlines the continuing need for a coordinated and global response against the threat posed by illicit medicines and transnational organized crime groups,” he added.
Swiss regulator SwissMedic, which took part in the operation, noted that more than half the counterfeit drugs entering its borders were erectile stimulants, 23% were psychotropic drugs, and 16% were hormones, including anabolic steroids, based on 230 contested shipments.
The Swiss regulator coordinated with Switzerland’s Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (FOCBS) and Swiss Sport Integrity (SSI) and found that almost a third of the counterfeit drugs from dubious websites came from India, while a significant portion also came from countries in Eastern Europe such as Lithuania, Czech Republic, and Bulgaria.
Swissmedic said that during this year’s operation, they focused on how criminals used websites and social media posts to sell their products. They found that criminals hacked the Swiss websites of sports clubs, small and medium enterprises, and playgroups to publish fake pages with details on how to order counterfeit and doping drugs
“By doing so, the criminals aimed to create the impression of being an official Swiss supplier,” Swissmedic officials said in a statement. “During Operation Pangea, Swissmedic informed the webmasters of 67 websites that had been hacked in this way and requested corrective measures. Swissmedic also investigated sales platforms that are not based in Switzerland. They were also contacted and deleted more than 200 offers that are illegal in Switzerland.”
The UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) Criminal Enforcement Unit (CEU) notes it started the first Operation Pangea in November 2008 when it seized 1,000 packs of unlicensed drugs in a day. Since then, Interpol and other partners have joined forces to address the global problem.
Interpol statement
Swissmedic statement
UK MHRA statement
×
Welcome to the new RAPS Digital Experience
We have completed our migration to a new platform and are pleased to introduce the updated site.
What to expect: If you have an existing login, please RESET YOUR PASSWORD before signing in. After you log in for the first time, you will be prompted to confirm your profile preferences, which will be used to personalize content.
We encourage you to explore the new website and visit your updated My RAPS page. If you need assistance, please review our FAQ page.
We welcome your feedback. Please let us know how we can continue to improve your experience.