The Interpol (International Criminal Police Organisation) has taken down thousands of online marketplaces that posed as pharmacies and pushed dangerou

Interpol shuts down thousands of fake online pharmacies

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2021-06-14 11:00:13

The Interpol (International Criminal Police Organisation) has taken down thousands of online marketplaces that posed as pharmacies and pushed dangerous fake and illicit drugs and medicine.

This record number of illicit online pharmacies was shut down during Operation Pangea XIV, which targeted online sellers of counterfeit and illegal pharmaceuticals and medical devices.

Law enforcement agencies, customs, and health regulatory authorities from 92 countries coordinated by Interpol took down "113,020 web links including websites and online marketplaces being closed down or removed."

"In the UK, in addition to the seizure of some three million fake medicines and devices worth more than USD 13 million, authorities also removed more than 3,100 advertising links for the illegal sale and supply of unlicensed medicines, and shut down 43 websites," the Interpol added.

"Fake and unauthorized COVID-19 testing kits accounted for more than half of all medical devices seized during the week of action (18 – 25 May) which resulted in 277 arrests worldwide and the seizure of potentially dangerous pharmaceuticals worth more than USD 23 million."