Associated Press
PARIS — Interpol says a worldwide operation to crack down on organized crime networks linked to the illegal sale of medicines online has led to about 80 arrests and the confiscation of $10.5 million worth of pharmaceutical products.
The Lyon, France-based international police body says the operation code named Pangea targeted illegal sales of existing drugs and the sale of fake and illicit medicines. Interpol says it hopes to raise awareness about their possible threats to public health.
It said Thursday this fifth annual Pangea operation ran from Sept. 25 to Oct. 2. It involved police, customs, health regulatory authorities and credit card and online payment companies across 100 countries.
That led to the closure of some 18,000 Web sites linked to illegal online pharmacies.