Interpol sting seizes US$51 million in counterfeit drugs
LYON: Interpol said Monday that it seized a record total of 25 million illicit and counterfeit medicines worth more than US$ 51 million (42 million euros) in a weeklong worldwide operation.
Dietary supplements, pain kil lers, fake contact lenses, epi lepsy medication and 1.2 tonnes of erectile dysfunction pi l ls were among the drugs seized, the agency, based in Lyon, France, said in a statement.
Operat ion Pangea X was carried out by police, customs and health authorities across a record 123 countries and led to more than 400 arrests from September 12 to 19.
The illegal sale of medicine online was also targeted, with 3,584 websites shut down and more than 3,000 online advertisements suspended.
It was the first time many African countries participated in the operation, said Immanuel Sam, the head of Interpol’s Namibia office.
“The sale of fake or counterfeit pharmaceuticals is a growing concern across Africa, as it creates a dangerous situation for the health of unsuspecting consumers,” Sam said.
As opioid abuse has reached epidemic proportions in several countries, the operation also targeted the trade of painkillers, particularly the drug Fentanyl.
Numerous websites sel ling only the drug were closed down, including one cal led ‘ Where to buy Fentanyl without a prescription’.
O p er at ion Pa n ge a wa s launched in 2008 and has since tracked the rise of unauthorised websites selling pharmaceutical products.
“Criminals are exploiting this trend to make a profit, putting lives at risk,” said Tim Morris, Interpol’s executive director of police services.
“The fact that we still see such strong outcomes after 10 years of Pangea operations demonstrates how the online sale of il licit medicines is an ongoing, and ever increasing, challenge,” he said. — AFP
The sale of fake or counterfeit pharmaceuticals is a growing concern across Africa, as it creates a dangerous situation for the health of unsuspecting consumers. Immanuel Sam, Interpol’s Namibia office head