From the press release of the Greek Police
Athens, September 12 , 2013
The Economic Police and Cybercrime Prosecution Service participated in the International Operation "PANGEA VI" to combat the illegal trafficking of pharmaceutical products and preparations via the internet.
The operation was organized and coordinated by Interpol.
From a total of 99 countries, customs and health regulatory authorities participated, as well as other relevant bodies and services from around the world
The Economic Police and Cybercrime Prosecution Service participated in the International Joint Operation "PANGEA VI", which aimed to combat the illegal trafficking of pharmaceutical products and preparations via the internet.
Specifically, this operation, which was organized and coordinated by Interpol, constituted an international «action week», (from 18 to 28 June 2013), in which, from a total of 99 countries, customs and health regulatory authorities, as well as other relevant bodies and services from around the world, participated.
It is noted that the PANGEA operation has been organized annually since 2008 and the primary goal is to combat the online sale of counterfeit and prohibited medicines and preparations, as well as the highlighting – raising public awareness regarding the risks associated with purchasing such products via the internet.
The results of this year's operation were significant, and they were published by INTERPOL. Indicatively at the international level:
- Over 10 million illegal and counterfeit pills were seized.
- The cost of the escaped profits is estimated at 36 million dollars.
- More than 13,700 websites were disabled.
- Approximately 534,000 suspicious packages were inspected by regulatory authorities and customs, of which 41,000 were seized.
- 213 individuals are under investigation or have been arrested for a series of offenses, such as illegal online activity, illegal drug sales, and unlicensed drug distribution.
The activities of the company PANGEA targeted the three main components used by illegal websites to conduct their illicit trade, namely the internet service provider, the payment method and the distribution method.
Furthermore, within the framework of the participation of the Economic Police Service and the Cybercrime Unit in this international operation and after online investigations, a website was identified through which illegal pharmaceutical preparations and drugs (anabolic, stimulants and steroids) are sold in our country.
For this case there is close cooperation with the National Organization of Medicines (E.O.F.) and a criminal case file is being formed, which will be submitted to the competent Prosecutorial Authorities.
