



At INTERPOL, we promote concrete law enforcement actions in the field with the ultimate aim of protecting the public from sub-standard and dangerous goods. We offer an 'interventions package' to support all stages of an investigation from gathering intelligence, planning and implementing an operation, through to legal issues for cases that are brought to court.
On-the-ground operations are run on a national and regional level in order to disrupt transnational criminal networks involved in pharmaceutical crime. Directed at both physical outlets and Internet suppliers, these are multi-agency efforts supported by key scientific partners.
Our flagship operations – Storm (Southeast Asia), Mamba (Eastern Africa) and Pangea (targeting the Internet) – continue to go from strength to strength. Successive raids on licit and illicit markets have shown improved results in terms of seizures, arrests, convictions and the closure of illicit websites.
These operations both highlight the success of multidisciplinary enforcement action and confirm the crucial need for continued intervention in this area.
Combating the sale of illegal medicines online
Operation Pangea is an international week of action tackling the online sale of counterfeit and illicit medicines and highlighting the dangers of buying medicines online. Coordinated by INTERPOL, the annual operation brings together customs, health regulators, national police and the private sector from countries around the world.
Activities target the three principal components used by illegal websites to conduct their trade – the Internet Service Provider (ISP), payment systems and the delivery service.
The operation has gained significant momentum since its launch in 2008. The first phase of the operation brought together 10 countries; a number which has now risen to more than 100.
Dates: 9-16 June 2015
Participating countries: 115
Participating agencies: 236
Results:
Pangea VIII media release (18 June 2015)
See also
Videos
Dates: 13-20 May 2014
Participating countries: 113
Participating agencies: 198
Results:
Pangea VII media release (22 May 2014)
Dates: 18-28 June 2013
Participating countries: 99 in total
Results:
Pangea VI media release (27 June 2013)
Dates: 25 September – 2 October 2012
Participating countries: 100 in total
Results:
Pangea V media release (4 October 2012)
Dates: 20 – 27 September 2011
Participating countries: 81 in total
Results:
Pangea IV media release (29 September 2011)
Dates: 5 – 12 October 2010
Participating countries: (44 in total) Angola, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Croatia, Cuba, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, China (+ Hong Kong, China), Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Malta, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Singapore, Slovak Republic, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, United Kingdom, Uruguay and the United States of America.
Results:
Pangea III media release (14 October 2010)
Dates: 16-20 November 2009
Participating countries: (25 in total) Austria, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Lichtenstein, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, United Kingdom and United States of America.
Results:
Pangea II media release (19 November 2009)
Date: 12 November 2008
Participating countries: (10 in total) Australia, Canada, Germany, Ireland, Israel, New Zealand, Singapore, Switzerland, United Kingdom and United States of America.
Results:
Pangea I was organized by the Permanent Forum on International Pharmaceutical Crime (PFIPC) and supported by INTERPOL.
Operation Pangea: Aline Plançon, INTERPOL Pharmaceutical Crime unit
Operation Pangea: Kerry Mannion, US Food and Drug Administration
Operation Pangea: Junko Yamamoto, World Customs Organization
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