PANGEA XV: Worldwide Campaign against Falsified and Illegally Imported Medicinal Products
From 23 to 30 June 2022, Interpol conducted its 15th globally coordinated operation PANGEA against the illegal online trade of medicines. From fake COVID-19 tests to doping substances or narcotics, the range of illegal shipments was broad.
This year, 94 countries were involved in the operation. A total of more than 3 million units were seized worldwide, including more than 7,800 illegal and counterfeit medicines and medical products. The found counterfeit medicines were mostly produced in Asian countries with counterfeit erectile stimulants originating in India.
During the week, law enforcement
- Investigated more than 4,000 web links, mainly from social media platforms and messaging apps
- Shut down or removed more than 4,000 web links containing adverts for illicit products
- Inspected nearly 3,000 packages and 280 postal hubs at airports, borders and mail distribution or cargo mail centres
- Opened more than 600 new investigations and issued more than 200 search warrants
While results are still coming in from countries, enforcement actions have already disrupted the activities of at least 36 organized crime groups.
About 40 % of all products seized were counterfeit or unapproved erectile stimulants. Law enforcement agencies in Australia, Argentina, Malaysia, and the United States also seized more than 317,000 unapproved COVID-19 test kits. The seizures in the US alone have an estimated value of nearly USD 3 million.
If you are interested in more information on the global action please click here.
Source:
Interpol: PANGEA XV
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