Operation SHIELD IV, a global effort targeting the trafficking of counterfeit and misused medicines and illicit doping substances, took place from April to October 2023.

According to Europol, it lead to 1,284 individuals being charged (of which there were 296 arrests and 988 under prosecution); 52 organised crime groups investigated, four underground labs dismantled and 92 websites shut down.

More than 600,000 packages were seized, with nearly 70,000 kilos of powders and raw material, over 11,000 litres of active ingredients, 121,000 vials and ampoules and over 12 million tablets and pills.

Operation SHIELD IV was led by law enforcement and other authorities in 30 countries and supported by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), EUIPO, Frontex, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and national medicine agencies.

In a statement, Europol said:

The trafficking of pharmaceuticals is a growing issue in the European Union and beyond. The investigations under SHIELD IV have highlighted a pattern of large scale trafficking which is highly lucrative for organised crime, which in turn incentivises more criminal groups to enter the trade. This crime area inflicts significant costs for the health and social care systems of EU Member States, as well as alarming effects on public health.

It also highlighted case studies in Greece and San Marino.