As a result, 3,354 people were prosecuted, 907 investigations were launched, 43 organized criminal groups were uncovered, five clandestine laboratories were seized, 10 collection sites were seized and 66 websites were blocked. The total value of the seized goods, including medicines, doping substances, medical devices and nutritional supplements, amounts to €33 million.
The operation was aimed at combating counterfeit and falsified medicines, trafficking in anabolic androgenic steroids and other doping substances, illicit food and sports supplements, and counterfeit sanitary and medical products.
“Operation SHIELD VI identified a number of critical public health threats, including the proliferation of counterfeit semaglutide-based products used as fat burners and the increasing availability of counterfeit medicines containing potent synthetic substances such as nitazenes,” Europol said in a press release.
Trade via social networks
According to Europol, social media and online trading platforms, both open access and darknet, continue to play a central role in the trade of counterfeit medicines. These platforms provide varying degrees of anonymity and target a wide audience, making it difficult to identify the criminals involved.
“Buying counterfeit medicines generates profits for criminals, poses a health risk to consumers and undermines the economy, damaging legitimate businesses and innovation that depend on intellectual property protection,” Europol said.
As in previous cases, the 2025 operation 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 medicines agencies.
