Global Takedown In October Nets 500 Tons Of Fake, Life-Threatening Drugs - INTERPOL

A weeklong offensive by police, customs and regulatory authorities in 116 nations resulted in the seizure of 500 tons of illicit or counterfeit pharmaceutical drugs, the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) said in a press release on Tuesday.

WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 23rd October, 2018) A weeklong offensive by police, customs and regulatory authorities in 116 nations resulted in the seizure of 500 tons of illicit or counterfeit pharmaceutical drugs, the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) said in a press release on Tuesday.

"Almost one million packages were inspected during the week of action (9 - 16 October), with 500 tons of illicit pharmaceuticals seized worldwide," the release said.

The drugs included anti-inflammatory medication, painkillers, erectile dysfunction pills, hypnotic and sedative agents, anabolic steroids, slimming pills and medicines for treating HIV, Parkinson's and diabetes, the release said.

In addition, more than 110,000 medical devices including syringes, contact lenses, hearing aids and surgical instruments were also seized, the release said.

INTERPOL coordinated the operation with support from Twitter, Facebook and credit card companies, as well as international organizations such as the World Customs Organization (WCO), the Permanent Forum of International Pharmaceutical Crime (PFIPC), the Heads of Medicines Agencies Working Group of Enforcement Officers (WGEO) and the Pharmaceutical Security Institute (PSI), according to the release.