An orchestrated swoop by health authorities in Portugal has resulted in the apprehension of almost 5,000 illegal and “potentially lethal” drugs – the majority of them purporting to help erectile dysfunction, slimming and body building.
The news came with the culmination of Operation Pangea VII – an international investigation involving 200 agencies and targeting the sinister sales world of online medication.
Announcing Portugal’s coup in a press release, Infarmed and customs authority (AT) concluded that “despite the alerts, Portuguese people continue to gravely compromise their health by buying products over the internet from non-accredited websites”.
Overall, Operation Pangea VII succeeded in seizing over 7.6 million potentially-lethal falsified medications, valued at almost 30 million dollars, said the release.
In Portugal, meds seized at cargo-loading areas in Lisbon, Porto, Madeira and the Azores had an estimated value of almost €20,000. Almost all the drugs were destined for people seeking help with erectile dysfunction, slimming or bodybuilding (anabolic steroids). Their apprehension proved, said the authorities, that ongoing investigations and apprehensions were needed to secure public safety.
Along with all the medication seized, Operation Pangea VII resulted in the closure of three Colombian drug laboratories.
Electronic payment and distribution systems were also checked as these are becoming increasingly targeted by organised crime, said the release.
