CYPRUS: An international criminal organization was dismantled - What was seized

For the 13th consecutive year the Republic of Cyprus participated in operation PANGEA XVI which took place between the dates 03 and 10 October 2023. The operation was carried out simultaneously at a global level, with the participation of 89 Member States of INTERPOL, with the aim of identifying and confiscating counterfeit medicines and of medical devices traded over the internet.

The operation is co-organized by INTERPOL, EUROPOL, the World Customs Organization (WCO), the Permanent Forum on Global Pharmaceutical Crime (PFIPC), the Working Group of the Pharmacoregulatory Authorities of the EU Member States. (HMA WGEO), the US FDA, drug quality control laboratories from around the world and other private bodies.

During the operation, a total of illegal pharmaceutical products with an estimated total value of more than 6.5 million euros were seized on a global scale. In addition, 1,300 illegal websites were identified and deleted and 325 cases are under investigation, while 72 people were arrested for related offences. A large part of the seized, at a rate of 19%, related to psychotherapeutic preparations.

The PANGEA XVI operation in Cyprus was carried out with the participation of the Pharmaceutical Services, the Department of Customs, the Department of Postal Services, the Department of Health Services, the Competent Authority for Medical Technological Equipment, the Service of Industry and Technology, the State Chemistry, the Veterinary Services and the Cyprus Police, which was also responsible for coordinating the entire operation.

In joint coordinated operations carried out with on-the-spot checks based on search warrants in premises, more than 5.000 products were seized which fall under various prohibitions and restrictions, in accordance with the provisions of the Cyprus Legislation.

According to the statements of the Secretary General of INTERPOL, Mr. Jürgen Stock, counterfeit pharmaceuticals and the abuse of regulated drugs are a serious threat to public safety worldwide. With operation PANGEA XVI, it became possible to identify and remove from the market a large number of harmful preparations and the dismantling of criminal networks dealing in counterfeit drugs was achieved.