Among the seized unapproved or counterfeit drugs are erectile dysfunction drugs, sedatives, painkillers, antibiotics and smoking cessation products
An illegal drug factory has been busted in Bulgaria in an international Interpol operation against drug trafficking. Millions of tablets, ampoules and injectable products have been seized in the country.
Operation Pangea XVIII, conducted in March on all continents, led to the arrest of nearly 270 people suspected of drug trafficking and the dismantling of 66 criminal groups in 90 countries, Interpol announced.
Over 6 million illegal drugs worth $15.5 million have been seized, the international police organization based in Lyon said.
Arrests in 111 countries in crackdown on fake drugs
Among the seized unapproved or counterfeit drugs are erectile dysfunction drugs, sedatives, painkillers, antibiotics and smoking cessation products.
“Through online marketplaces and informal supply channels, criminals can exploit weaknesses in controls and target people seeking quick or affordable treatment,” said Interpol Secretary General Valdesy Urquiza. He warned that the consequences could be “serious, even fatal.”
Interpol reported a “sharp increase” in seizures of antiparasitic drugs, including deworming drugs that are only authorized for veterinary use. These products are often presented as “nutritional supplements” and sold as part of “alternative cancer therapies,” the organization said, stressing that such claims are not supported by scientific evidence.
The use of such products has already been observed during the Covid-19 pandemic, Interpol recalled.
Demand for “achievement” and “lifestyle” pharmaceuticals, such as steroids and peptides, continues to grow. It is fueled by communities associated with bodybuilding and fitness.
In Burkina Faso, authorities confiscated 384,000 antibiotic capsules. In Côte d’Ivoire, a ton of counterfeit ibuprofen was found in a car.
Illustrative Photo: pexels-johndetochka-9274596
