According to a statement released this Monday by Europol, more than 10 million drugs have been seized and 349 suspects have been detained or brought to the attention of the authorities as part of Operation SHIELD, according to a statement released this Monday by Europol, which estimates the value of these products at 40 million euros.
The third edition of this operation, which took place between April and October, involved various organizations, namely the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), the European Union Intellectual Property Office, Frontex, the World Anti-Doping Agency and the World Anti-Fraud Organization. Customs, including police and customs authorities of 28 countries (19 Member States of the European Union and nine third countries).
59 criminal groups were liquidated and a large number of counterfeit or falsified drugs were seized, especially vaccines and tests for covid-19, erectile dysfunction drugs and doping substances.
According to a memo issued by OLAF, which focused specifically on illegal and counterfeit hormones, nutritional supplements and erectile dysfunction drugs, Portugal was one of the countries that joined the customs authorities’ initiative, along with 13 other member states.
“Making profit while endangering people’s health is terrible, and yet, unfortunately, this is not the first time OLAF has faced this type of fraud. thanks to the cooperation between OLAF, Europol and the national customs and police,” said OLAF CEO Ville Itälä.
Author: Portuguese
Source: CM Jornal
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