A drug factory operating illegally in Bulgaria was uncovered during an international Interpol crackdown on drug trafficking. The operation resulted in the seizure of millions of tablets, ampoules, and injectable products. Conducted in March, Operation Pangea XVIII spanned all continents, leading to the arrest of nearly 270 individuals suspected of drug trafficking and dismantling 66 criminal groups across 90 countries, as announced by Interpol.
Over 6 million illegal drugs, valued at $15.5 million, were confiscated, reported the international police organization based in Lyon. In a global crackdown spanning 111 countries, arrests were made related to fake drugs. Seized items include unapproved or counterfeit drugs such as erectile dysfunction medications, sedatives, painkillers, antibiotics, and smoking cessation products.
Interpol Secretary General Valdesy Urquiza noted that criminals exploit weaknesses in controls via online marketplaces and informal supply channels, targeting individuals seeking quick or affordable treatment. He cautioned that the consequences could be “serious, even fatal.”
There has been a “sharp increase” in the seizure of antiparasitic drugs, including deworming drugs only authorized for veterinary use, often mislabeled as “nutritional supplements” and marketed as part of “alternative cancer therapies,” Interpol stated. Such claims lack scientific backing. This trend was also noted during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The demand for “achievement” and “lifestyle” pharmaceuticals, like steroids and peptides, continues to rise, driven by communities linked to bodybuilding and fitness. In Burkina Faso, officials confiscated 384,000 antibiotic capsules, while in Côte d’Ivoire, a ton of counterfeit ibuprofen was discovered in a vehicle.
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