Europol coordinated the third edition of operation Shield, a global effort to target trafficking of counterfeit and misused medicines and doping substances. The operation was led by France, Greece, Italy and Spain, and involved police and customs authorities from 28 countries -19 EU member states and nine third-party countries, including Bosnia and Herzegovina.

During the operation, law enforcement officers dismantled 59 criminal groups and arrested or reported to the judicial authorities 349 suspects. Simultaneously, authorities seized massive amounts of misused, falsified or counterfeit medicines, doping products and substances and illegal food and sport supplements, as well as counterfeit COVID vaccines, sanitary products and medical devices.

Doping substances and medicines for erectile dysfunction were amongst the most seized items. In order to increase prevention and awareness, some participating states launched anti-doping campaigns and performed both ‘in-competition’ and ‘out-of-competition’ controls.

According to Europol report, the police conducted seizures worth over EUR 40 million, with more than 10.5 million units of medicines and doping substances as well as over 1 million counterfeit COVID tests seized. They conducted 195 investigations and arrested or reported to judicial authorities 349 suspects. Also, 59 organised crime groups were investigated and 10 underground labs shut down.

The European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) coordinated the customs agencies while the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) offered financial support. Frontex, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), the World Customs Organisation (WCO) and national medicine agencies further supported the operation, which took place between April and October 2022.

In the course of the operation, many cases of large-scale medicine trafficking were uncovered, confirming that it can be as lucrative as or even more lucrative than narcotics trafficking. While these crimes generate massive illicit gains for traffickers and counterfeiters, the public finances and the social care systems of some Member States are inflicted with massive financial costs. The public health cost is also significant, be it because of treatment of addictive behaviours or the consequences of overdoses or stock shortage, said Europol.

Organised crime group dismantled in Greece

The Greek Financial Police Division disrupted an organised crime group with a hierarchical structure, distinct roles and a years-long history of smuggling anabolic steroids and other illegal pharmaceutical products such as erectile dysfunction remedies. Members of this particular group were active in Greece and held other minor hubs in Europe, the US and Asia.

Two labs in Greece were used to turn raw material trafficked through Moldova and Bulgaria into various products. Sales were conducted through websites and encrypted e-mail addresses to an international clientele including dozens of professional athletes. A large-scale police operation led to the arrest of one leading member of the organised crime group and the seizure of more than 2.4 million units of anabolic steroids and other illicit substances, as well as packaging material.

Significant reduction in COVID-19-related trafficking

While criminal networks are still exploiting opportunities offered by the COVID-19 pandemic, trafficking with medicines and protective equipment has met a significant decrease due to the high attention to the topic and intense monitoring by law enforcement. Governments offering the vaccines at no cost contributed to creating a disadvantageous situation for criminals aiming to feed an illegal market. Several fraud attempts targeting national bodies responsible for the supply of medicines and protective devices could be detected and thwarted.

In addition to 19 member states that took part in the operation, the third-party countries that gave their contribution were Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Colombia, Georgia, Iceland, North Macedonia, Serbia, Switzerland, United States.