While busting this Operation Pangea XIV, Interpol confiscated three million fake medicines and devices worth more than USD 13 million, authorities also removed...
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Operation Pangea XIV which aimed to circulate counterfeit, illegal drugs and fake medicines through an end number of dummy online pharmacies have been taken down in a coordinated operation by multiple law enforcement agencies led by Interpol (International Criminal Police Organisation).
Last month, authorities in 92 countries closed 113,000 websites and online stores selling fake or illegal drugs and medical devices, including various tests for Covid-19 and fake face masks, Interpol said on Tuesday.
Illegal Covid test kits have confiscated more than half of all medical devices seized between May 18 and 25. Still, Italian authorities say more than 500,000 fake surgical masks and 35 machines have been found for packaging.
The police arrested 227 people around the world and recovered $23 million worth of medicines. Stoke said, "Whilst some individuals were knowingly buying illicit medicines, many thousands of victims were unwittingly putting their health and potentially their lives at risk."
Counterfeit and illegal drugs were also found hidden in the shipment of clothes, jewelry, toys, and food.
Since Interpol began to coordinate counterfeit medicine campaigns, known as Pangea operations, in 2008., approximately 9 million pieces of equipment and drugs have been seized.
According to the report in Italy, the authorities recovered more than 500,000 fake surgical masks and 35 industrial machines used for production and packaging.
Interpol Secretary-General Jürgen Stock (Jürgen Stock) said: “As the pandemic forced more people to move their lives online, criminals were quick to target these new ‘customers."
>“As crimes continue to evolve amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, the authorities must remain vigilant in dismantling criminal networks involved in the proliferation of illicit pharmaceutical products, especially in online platforms,” said the Head of the INTERPOL National Central Bureau in the Philippines, Allan C. Guisihan. “Despite the official conclusion of this operation, the Philippines will continue to pursue its efforts in protecting the environment to ensure public health.”
“Through Operation Pangea, we have supported INTERPOL, the U.K.'s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency and Border Force in tackling the worldwide threat of pharmaceutical crime linked to the COVID-19 pandemic. We have seen how organized crime groups have responded to the changing environment; however, we also continue to adapt and work with partners to disrupt their activities,” said Kathryn Clarke, Head of U.K. International Crime Bureau from the National Crime Agency.
Approximately 710,000 packages were inspected, and counterfeit and illegal drugs hidden in legal products, such as clothing, jewelry, toys, food, and baby products, were discovered. For example, in Qatar, officials found 2,805 nerve painkillers in baked bean cans.
With the support of the Institute for Drug Safety, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime/World Customs Organization Container Control Program, and Europol, a total of approximately 9 million illegal medical devices and drugs were seized in this operation, including:
Targeting counterfeit and illicit medicines and medical products, a record number of fake online pharmacies were shut down under INTERPOL’s Operation Pangea XIV pic.twitter.com/eZKTN70z4F
— INTERPOL (@INTERPOL_HQ) June 8, 2021
Illegal and counterfeit drugs can be fatal for a number of reasons. They may have the wrong amount of active ingredients (small, large, or any), altered expiration date, or not stored properly. This means they can be highly risky and harmful at the same time.
Raising public awareness about the repercussions of online drug shopping is also part of Pangea XIV. Its members are involved in social media campaigns, including video tutorials on how to purchase these drugs online.
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