Large-scale probe seizes 10.5m fake medicines

Operation took place across Europe | Criminal networks are still exploiting opportunities offered by the COVID-19 pandemic.

In an operation coordinated across Europe, police and customs authorities from 28 countries have seized more than 10.5 million counterfeit and misused medical products.

Europol—in an announcement shared yesterday, December 19—said that, during the operation, law enforcement officers dismantled 59 criminal groups and identified 349 suspects.

Between April and October this year, authorities seized misused, falsified or counterfeit medicines, doping products and substances and illegal food and sport supplements, in addition to counterfeit COVID-19 vaccines, sanitary products and medical devices.

Europol said that, with more than 10.5 million units of medicines and doping substances being seized, more than €40 million ($42.4 million) worth of products had been taken off the market.

Among the most seized items were doping substances and medicines for erectile dysfunction. More than one million counterfeit COVID-19 tests were seized and 89 websites were shut down.

“While criminal networks are still exploiting opportunities offered by the COVID-19 pandemic, trafficking with medicines and protective equipment has met a significant decrease due to the high attention to the topic and intense monitoring by law enforcement,” said Europol.

It added that governments offering the vaccines at no cost “contributed to creating a disadvantageous situation for criminals aiming to feed an illegal market”.

This was the third edition of the investigation known as Operation Shield, a global effort to target trafficking of counterfeit and misused medicines and doping substances.

Led by France, Greece, Italy and Spain, the operation involved police and customs authorities from 28 countries, including 19 EU member states and third-party countries such as Switzerland and the US.

The European Anti-Fraud Office coordinated the customs agencies and the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) offered financial support.

Other support came from Frontex (the European Border and Coast Guard Agency), the World Anti-Doping Agency, the World Customs Organisation and national medicine agencies.

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