Authorities in 30 countries seized counterfeit medicines, doping substances and illegal supplements worth more than 33 million euros ($38.86 million) and shut down five clandestine laboratories in a coordinated crackdown on pharmaceutical crime, Europol said Wednesday.
The operation was carried out between April and November 2025 and targeted networks trafficking fake and misused medicines that pose serious public-health risks. Investigators prosecuted 3,354 suspects and identified 43 organized crime groups.
Europol said the operation highlighted emerging health threats, including counterfeit products sold as fat-burners and other fake medicines. Criminal networks are exploiting rising demand for weight-loss drugs, performance enhancers and recreational substances, often distributing falsified products through unregulated online platforms that bypass safety controls.