The operation, named “Pangea VIII” led to the seizure of 20.7 million fake drugs with an estimated value of 81 million dollars (71 million euros), revealed the international organization of police cooperation, Interpol , in a press release.
115 countries took part in a global operation targeting criminal networks selling fake drugs through illicit online pharmacies, resulting in 156 arrests worldwide and the confiscation of 20.7 million counterfeit and potentially dangerous drugs a worth $ 81 million (71 million euros).
This operation resulted in the launch of 429 investigations, the suspension of 550 online advertisements for illicit pharmaceuticals and 2,414 websites were taken offline. The drugs were found in Roissy (France) and came mainly from India. The counterfeit and illicit drugs seized during the operation were blood pressure treatments, erectile dysfunction pills, cancer drugs and nutritional supplements.
An exceptional participation from Google
Google’s participation underlined the importance of collaboration between law enforcement and the private sector in the fight against the online sale of fake drugs.
“Google has long recognized the importance of working with law enforcement and others to collectively thwart the business operations of rogue online pharmacies. Our involvement in Operation Pangea is another way to make it even more difficult for rogue actors to harm Internet users, ”said Adam Barea, General Counsel at Google.
This is not the first time that Interpol has carried out this kind of large-scale operation. Already in 2013, the “Pangea VII” operation led to the seizure of 9.4 million potentially dangerous counterfeits, but in 111 countries.
According to the World Health Organization, the medical counterfeit market is booming: the WHO estimates that, on the Internet, 1 in 2 drugs is fake and, therefore, potentially dangerous for health.
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