EUR 33 million worth of illicit medicines and doping substances seized in Operation SHIELD VI.
Between April and November 2025, law enforcement, judicial, customs, medical and anti-doping authorities from 30 countries joined forces in Operation SHIELD VI. Europol coordinated this global effort targeting the trafficking of counterfeit and misused medicines, as well as illicit doping substances and food supplements. As in the previous operations, the 2025 edition was supported by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), Frontex, INTERPOL, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and national medicine agencies.
The operation focused on counterfeit and falsified medicines, the trafficking of anabolic-androgenic steroids and other doping substances, illegal food and sport supplements, and counterfeit sanitary products and medical devices. For regulatory and law enforcement authorities, the relationship between abnormal medication use, organised crime, and pharmaceutical trafficking remains a complex challenge.
SHIELD VI results:
- 3 354 individuals prosecuted
- 907 investigations launched
- 43 organised crime groups investigated
- 5 underground labs seized
- 10 assembly sites seized
- 66 websites taken down
- 233 websites monitored
- 4 186 inspections performed
- 5 517 anti-doping controls (in competition) performed
- 5 916 anti-doping controls (out of competition) performed
Seizures:
- Medicines:
- 139 116 illegal packages
- 3 285,14 kg of powder/raw material
- 924,33 litres of active ingredients
- 3 219 952 tablets/pills
- 916 173 vials/ampoules
- Doping substances:
- 298 594 illegal packages
- 2 315 kg of powder/raw material
- 4 110 litres of active ingredients
- 4 587 835 tablets/pills
- 1 170 383 vials/ampoules
- Medical devices: 71 610 packages.
- Food supplements: 48 531 packages.
The total value of the seized items amounts to EUR 33 167 423,00.
Public health threats
Operation SHIELD VI highlighted several critical public health threats, including the proliferation of counterfeit Semaglutide-based products used as fat-burners and the increasing availability of fake medicines containing potent synthetic substances, such as nitazenes. The potential for poisoning and overdose is increased by the fact that these substances resemble legitimate opioids.
Pharmaceutical crime in Europe involves various illegal activities that endanger public health, exploit legitimate supply chains, infringe intellectual property rights, and generate substantial illicit profits. The core issue is the misuse and abnormal consumption of medicines outside a medical framework, which drives illegal markets. This includes:
- Consuming medicines for other than their intended uses (e.g. for performance enhancement, recreational use, weight management, etc.)
- Altering the approved route of administration of a medicine (e.g. injections, eye drops, patches, etc.)
- Diversion and resale of legitimately prescribed medicines into illegal markets.
How criminals exploit the demand for medicines
These behaviours create a growing demand that organised crime networks exploit by diverting licensed products and introducing counterfeit items into both illicit and legitimate channels. The misuse of prescription and over-the-counter medicines for non-therapeutic purposes is a significant and increasing problem in Europe, providing more opportunities for criminals to operate.
The proliferation of online trafficking channels, particularly through unregulated websites, continues to pose significant challenges for enforcement agencies. These digital platforms complicate detection and interception efforts and create new avenues for the distribution of falsified and illicit pharmaceutical products, exacerbating public health risks.
How to stay safe online
Fake medicines traded in the EU are on the rise, which comes with a huge cost for the individual and society. In 2025, Europol, the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) have come together to raise awareness about the issue of fake medicines and better protect consumers through coordinated enforcement action and public guidance.
Social media and online marketplaces, both on the surface and on the dark web, continue to be central to the trade of counterfeit pharmaceuticals. These platforms provide various degrees of anonymity and target wide audiences, making it challenging to identify the criminal actors involved.
Purchasing fake medicines pays criminals poses a risk to consumers’ health, and undermines the economy, damaging legitimate businesses and innovation that rely on intellectual property protection. Consumers are warned to be mindful to not fund organised crime or harm themselves by buying fake medicines.
Operational success stories
Several criminal networks were identified and dismantled during Operation SHIELD VI. These networks typically operated one or more underground laboratories where they manufactured illicit pharmaceuticals and doping substances using raw ingredients. Law enforcement agencies conducted a large number of inspections of shipments, intercepting and seizing significant quantities of counterfeit and falsified medicines, doping substances, and related materials. These actions disrupted the supply chains and financial operations of the organised crime groups involved.
In Germany, the “Joint Investigation Team Narcotics” (GER Mainz) in Rhineland-Palatinate targeted a group involved in large-scale trafficking of drugs and pharmaceuticals. Investigations, initiated in last year’s edition of SHIELD, revealed that a pharmacist allegedly sold significant quantities of legally obtained pharmaceuticals to the group since 2020/2021. These pharmaceuticals were then distributed through online shops on both the dark net and clear web. In September 2025, law enforcement authorities executed several search warrants, seizing a large number of pharmaceuticals. These included controlled substances, such as various benzodiazepine preparations, and other prescription-only medicines.
In Spain, the Guardia Civil and the Spanish Customs collaborated to dismantle a criminal organisation involved in the import, storage, and distribution of illegal medicines and health products for cosmetic medicine. The operation, initiated in 2023, targeted both legal and clandestine cosmetic clinics, as well as unqualified individuals offering cosmetic treatments. Large quantities of illegal medicines and healthcare products, primarily from South Korea, were seized in multiple Spanish provinces, along with packaging and distribution materials. The investigation was sparked by reports of clandestine clinics advertising cosmetic treatments on social media.
The Spanish Customs seized numerous illegal medicines and healthcare products at the airport in Seville, which were camouflaged with false declarations. These unauthorised products were distributed to clandestine clinics and unqualified personnel. The criminal network’s activities extended to Portugal, and they used international connections to conceal profits. During the operational phase, four house searches and 24 inspections of clinics and establishments were conducted, resulting in the seizure of 40 batches of illegal products and the arrest of four individuals, with 41 others investigated for various offences.
In May 2025, the Organised Crime Directorate of the Hellenic Police dismantled a major criminal organisation that defrauded the national healthcare service of over EUR 1.2 million. The network, active since at least July 2017, included two pharmacy owners, a pharmacy employee, and two doctors operating in Attica and Corinthia. Seven individuals were arrested, and 15 others face charges.
The gang exploited the national security number system (AMKA) to issue at least 33 962 fake prescriptions, targeting citizens who had not activated paperless prescriptions. Often, they stole AMKA numbers from individuals visiting pharmacies for routine COVID-19 tests. Fake prescriptions for narcotics and expensive drugs were issued, with pharmacists forging patients’ signatures to claim state funds and sell the medicines illegally on the black market for profit.
During police raids, authorities seized 17 389 packages of illegally prescribed medicines, EUR 13 050 in cash, and several weapons, including a pistol with a silencer, and a shotgun.
To effectively combat pharmaceutical crime, a multi-faceted approach is essential. This approach should integrate health regulation, criminal justice cooperation, and public awareness campaigns. These efforts must be supported by robust law enforcement operations and international conventions. Addressing this issue remains a priority within EU cross-agency frameworks and ongoing enforcement actions, requiring sustained collaboration and vigilance.
Dedicated experts at the helm
Operation SHIELD VI was coordinated by Europol’s intellectual property crime experts and a steering group comprising the Italian Carabinieri, French Gendarmerie, Greek Financial Police, and the Spanish Guardia Civil.
Europol played a crucial role in supporting the operation through operational meetings, mobile office and universal forensic extraction device deployments, and providing analytical support. The operation highlighted the ongoing threat of counterfeit Semaglutide-based products, fake medicines containing potent synthetic substances, and the proliferation of online trafficking channels.
Participating countries:
Albania, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland.
The European Multidisciplinary Platform Against Criminal Threats (EMPACT) tackles the most important threats posed by organised and serious international crime affecting the EU. EMPACT strengthens intelligence, strategic and operational cooperation between national authorities, EU institutions and bodies, and international partners. EMPACT runs in four-year cycles focusing on common EU crime priorities.
