58 people have been arrested and 9.8 million dangerous medicines have been seized

Jun 28, 2013 14:25 GMT  ·  By

Law enforcement agencies, national health agencies, regulators, and private sector companies from all over the world have taken part in a campaign aimed at disrupting the operations of rogue online pharmacies. A total of 9,000 websites have been taken down and 58 individuals have been arrested.

In addition, 9.8 million potentially dangerous medicines, worth around $41 million (€31 million), have been seized.

The list of organizations that took part in the campaign includes the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Interpol, Europol, World Customs Organization, the Heads of Medicines Agencies Working Group of Enforcement Officers, the Pharmaceutical Security Institute, Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, and Legitscript.

According to Interpol, the campaign – dubbed Operation Pangea IV – took place between June 18 and June 27. The operation targeted electronic payment systems, delivery services, and Internet service providers.

Besides shutting down over 9,000 illegal websites, authorities also suspended the payment facilities of illegal pharmacies, and disrupted a significant number of spam messages that were used to promote the websites.

Customs and regulatory authorities inspected 522,000 packages, of which they seized 58,000.

“Transnational criminal networks are taking advantage of the Internet to deceive consumers into buying fake and often dangerous medicines with a wanton disregard for the health risks this poses to the unsuspecting buyers,” noted Interpol Secretary General Ronald K. Noble.

“Our partners worldwide have combined their efforts in INTERPOL's Operation Pangea VI to fight these organized criminal networks. Together, they are protecting innocent consumers by shutting down illegitimate online pharmacies, confiscating illegal pharmaceutical products and bringing criminals to justice.”

John Roth, director of the FDA’s Office of Criminal Investigations, commented, “Illegal online pharmacies put American consumers’ health at risk by selling potentially dangerous products. This is an ongoing battle in the United States and abroad, and the FDA will continue its criminal law enforcement and regulatory efforts.”

He added, “The agency is pleased to participate in Operation Pangea to protect consumers and strengthen relationships with international partners who join in this fight.”