Between April and October 2023, Europol coordinated the fourth edition of Operation SHIELD.
Article continues below
Law enforcement, judicial, customs, medical and anti-doping authorities from 30 countries across 3 continents joined forces in this global effort targeting the trafficking of counterfeit and misused medicines and illicit doping substances.
The operation was also supported by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), Frontex, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and national medicine agencies.
The investigations under SHIELD IV have highlighted a pattern of large scale trafficking which is highly lucrative for organised crime, which in turn incentivises more criminal groups to enter the trade.
This crime area inflicts significant costs for the health and social care systems of EU Member States, as well as alarming effects on public health.
Illegal vendors continue to advertise doping substances on social media, mostly targeting non-professional athletes and members of restricted or private sport groups.
Along with performance-enhancing products, medicines for erectile dysfunction are offered via dubious channels online and remain among the most seized counterfeits by law enforcement. Unregulated use of medicines and doping substances, especially of counterfeit products, can cause serious and irreversible bodily harm.
Greek authorities dismantled a criminal network which had been trafficking unauthorised pharmaceuticals and medical devices since 2019. The products included counterfeit botox and vitamin acid preparations used in cosmetic surgery.
The criminals’ customer base of these counterfeits covered various regions of the country. The seized products were imported via couriers or transported by a member of the group from Turkey and Poland.
The Italian authorities searched the logistical base of a criminal group operating from San Marino.
Investigators identified a rural underground lab set up for the production, labelling and packaging of doping products. Police seized vast quantities of doping substances in the form of vials, tablets, capsules, bottles and packaging, all intended for sale in Italy as well as around EUR 180 000 in cash.
The suspect allegedly imported pure Nandronole, an anabolic steroid classified as a narcotic drug in Italy. His trafficking routes spanned all over Europe and as far as China.
Medicines are often counterfeited in underground laboratories without any regulation or safety measures in place.
Counterfeit products created under such circumstances do not produce the desired effect; in the best case scenario the patient remains untreated, however such products can cause serious health issues or be potentially lethal.
Participating countries:
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Albania, Bosnia Herzegovina, Colombia, Georgia, Iceland, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States. ■