07/05/2026
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07/05/2026
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SINGAPORE, May 7: An INTERPOL-coordinated global crackdown has led to the seizure of 6.42 million doses of unapproved and counterfeit medicines worth an estimated USD 15.5 million , exposing the growing scale of the illicit pharmaceutical trade.
The operation, known as Operation Pangea XVIII , was carried out from March 10 to 23, 2026 , across 90 countries and territories . It resulted in 269 arrests and the dismantling of 66 criminal groups involved in producing, trafficking and selling illegal medical products.
Law enforcement agencies worldwide opened 392 investigations and executed 158 search warrants targeting networks dealing in counterfeit, substandard, falsified and unapproved pharmaceuticals.
Among the most commonly seized products were:
● Erectile dysfunction medicines
● Sedatives
● Painkillers
● Antibiotics
● Anti-smoking products
● Anabolic steroids
● Anabolic steroids
● Antiparasitic drugs
● Weight-loss and performance-enhancing substances
Authorities also disrupted around 5,700 websites, social media pages, online channels and automated bots linked to the sale and promotion of illegal medicines.
Fake Medicines Pose Serious Health Risks
INTERPOL Secretary General Valdecy Urquiza warned that counterfeit medicines are not simply a financial scam but a direct threat to public health.
“Fake medicines are not just a fraud — they put lives at risk. Through online marketplaces and informal supply chains, criminals can exploit gaps in oversight, targeting people looking for fast or affordable treatment. The consequences can be severe, or even fatal,” Urquiza said.
He added that international cooperation remains critical to dismantling the criminal networks behind the trade.
“Nearly 20 years after the first Pangea operation was launched, it continues to deliver real results,” he said.
Rise in Antiparasitic Drugs Sold as Alternative Cancer Treatments
One of the major findings of this year’s operation was a sharp rise in seizures of antiparasitic medicines , a trend previously seen during the COVID-19 pandemic.
INTERPOL said the increase appears to be linked to the online promotion of such products as alternative cancer treatments, despite repeated warnings from health authorities that these claims are not backed by scientific evidence.
The two main substances seized were:
● Ivermectin , used to treat parasite and worm infections
● Fenbendazole , a deworming drug approved only for veterinary use
Authorities said these substances were often mislabelled as health supplements and sold as part of so-called “cancer treatment kits” to avoid regulation and make them easier to access.
Significant seizures were reported in Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, the United States and the United Kingdom .
Steroids, Peptides and Weight-Loss Drugs Fuel Illegal Market
The operation also showed continued demand for lifestyle and performance-related drugs.
Anabolic steroids remained one of the dominant categories, with 86,732 doses seized globally . INTERPOL said demand is largely driven by bodybuilding and fitness communities.
Production was detected in parts of Eastern and South-Eastern Europe , as well as established manufacturing hubs in India, the United Kingdom and the United States .
In Bulgaria , authorities dismantled a clandestine production facility and seized millions of mislabelled pills, ampoules and injectable products.
Biser Vuchkov , Director of the International Cooperation Directorate at Bulgaria’s Ministry of Interior, said the operation demonstrated the importance of coordinated international enforcement.
“The latest results highlight the power of coordinated action in disrupting illegal production, trafficking and online distribution worldwide,” he said.
Authorities also reported rising demand for peptides , synthetic substances promoted online for muscle growth, fat loss and recovery. These products are often sold as “research chemicals” or “cosmetic peptides” to evade controls, despite lacking approved dosage guidelines or safety standards for human use.
Major peptide seizures were reported in Australia, Ireland and New Zealand .
Criminals Exploit Weight-Loss Drug Demand
INTERPOL also warned that growing global demand for GLP-1 medicines , originally developed to treat diabetes and now widely used for weight loss, has created new opportunities for criminal networks.
Illegal versions are often produced in Asia and sold online for as little as USD 10 . In some cases, authorities found the products contained sibutramine , a substance banned in many countries because of links to heart attacks and strokes.
Africa Sees Seizures of Essential Medicines
The participation of 12 African countries in this year’s operation provided a clearer picture of how illicit medicines move across the region.
Unlike in other parts of the world, seizures in Africa mainly involved essential medicines, including:
● Painkillers
● Antibiotics
● Antimalarial drugs
INTERPOL said criminal groups often sell these products through informal markets, especially in areas where access to affordable healthcare is limited.
Many of the seized medicines were found to be substandard, falsified, expired, poorly stored or missing important safety information.
Key seizures included:
● Burkina Faso: 384,000 antibiotic capsules intercepted
● Côte d’Ivoire: One tonne of counterfeit ibuprofen seized from a single vehicle
● Cameroon: Thousands of bottles of suspected counterfeit antimalarials and antibiotics intercepted
Global Warning Over Online Medicine Purchases
The operation highlights the growing danger of buying medicines from unverified websites, social media sellers or informal suppliers.
Authorities warned that fake or illegal medicines may contain the wrong ingredients, incorrect dosages, banned substances or no active ingredient at all — putting patients at serious risk.
INTERPOL said Operation Pangea will continue to target the criminal networks exploiting public demand for cheaper, faster or harder-to-find treatments.
