Enforcement agencies from around the world have seized illicit medicines worth $10.5m and shut down more than 18,000 websites in a major operation against rogue online pharmacies.
The operation – spearheaded by Interpol, the World Customs Organisation (WCO) and enforcement and regulatory authorities – seized 3.75 million units of various illegal medicines, including anticancer drugs, antibiotics and erectile dysfunction pills as well as slimming and food supplements.
Around 80 people have been arrested in the offensive – called Operation Pangea V – which was carried out with the support of the Center for Safe Internet Pharmacies (CSIP) and companies handling online payments, including Visa, MasterCard and PayPal.