Results of Operation Shield III against Illicit Medicine Trafficking and Doping Substances
12 January 2023 (updated 4 months, 3 weeks ago) // Published in printed Issue 4/2022 pp 234 – 235
2018-Max_Planck_Herr_Wahl_1355_black white_Zuschnitt.jpg Thomas Wahl

On 19 December 2022, Europol and OLAF informed of the results of the third edition of the global operation SHIELD. Coordinated by Europol and supported by OLAF, the EU Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), Frontex, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), and the World Customs Organisation (WCO), police and customs authorities in 28 countries targeted misused or counterfeit medicines, doping substances, illegal food or sport supplements and counterfeit COVID medical supplies.

During the operation, which was carried out between April and October 2022, authorities were able to take medicines and doping substances worth over €40 million off the market. 349 suspects were arrested or reported to judicial authorities. 59 organised crime groups were dismantled, 10 underground labs shut down, and 89 websites taken offline.

The operation revealed that illicit medicine trafficking is seemingly as lucrative as or even more lucrative than narcotics trafficking for organised crime groups. While criminal networks are still exploiting opportunities offered by the COVID-19 pandemic, trafficking with medicines and protective equipment has met a significant decrease. Reasons for this decrease are a closer monitoring of the topic by law enforcement and the offering of vaccines free of charge by states thus creating an unfavourable market for criminals.

OLAF supported operation SHIELD III by leading targeted actions from national customs authorities. Customs authorities of 14 EU Member States intercepted over 430.000 tablets – mainly medicine for erectile dysfunction and hormonal supplements – and some 650 vials of various medicines. For the previous edition of operation SHIELD → eucrim 4/2021, 209.

News Guide

EU OLAF Europol

Author

2018-Max_Planck_Herr_Wahl_1355_black white_Zuschnitt.jpg
Thomas Wahl

Institution:
Max Planck Institute for the Study of Crime, Security and Law (MPI CSL)

Department:
Public Law Department

Position:
Senior Researcher