Rome: Operation “SHIELD V”, thousands of medicines and doping substances seized.

23 arrests, 138 reports and a commercial value of the seizures equal to over 2,6 million euros.

Il Carabinieri Health Protection Command (NAS) andcustoms agency and monopolies they concluded the operation “Shield V” (Safe Health Implementation, Enforcement and Legal Development), a major international investigation against the pharmaceutical crime and for the protection of public health.

The operation, conducted between April and November 2024, was coordinated by EuropolWith the participation of 30 Countries, both from the European Union and outside the EU, and from various international organisations, including:

• European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO)
• European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF)
• World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)

Fighting pharmaceutical crime

The investigation aimed at pharma-crime, namely illicit drug trafficking, counterfeiting, theft and doping. Investigations have been carried out targeted actions against the illegal trade of medicines and active pharmacological ingredients.

Italy participated with the Carabinieri command for health protection, which played a role in co-leader of Europol, collaborating with the French National Gendarmerie, Greek Police and Spanish Civil Guard.

The operation was also made possible thanks to the support of the territorial branches of the customs and monopolies agency and the investigative tools provided by Europol.

The results in Italy: seizures and arrests

The investigations conducted on Italian territory have led to:

• 967 checks and inspections
• 11 investigations launched
• 23 arrests
• 138 people reported
• 1 clandestine laboratory discovered
• 2 criminal groups dismantled

They were seized approximately 125.000 units of drugs, including those to doping action, at major postal and courier sorting hubs. Overall, the commercial value of the seizures exceeded 2,6 million euro.

Types of drugs seized

The seized drugs and doping substances include:

• 8.800 packs and 95.000 dosage units of counterfeit drugs in various pharmaceutical forms (tablets, vials, injectables, powders)
• Anabolics, slimming, antibiotics, anti-inflammatories and drugs for erectile dysfunction

Fight against doping in sport

Particular attention was paid to the contrast of the doping, both in the amateur and professional sports. The inspectors NAS, specialized in anti-doping investigations, have carried out:

• 47 doping controls (40 in competition and 7 out of competition)
• 161 athletes checked, Of which 4 positive results

The activity was conducted in collaboration with NADO Italy, as part of an agreement with the Carabinieri command for health protection.

286 Illegal Sales Websites Shut Down

Another front of intervention was the fight against the online sale of counterfeit drugs. They were 286 websites blocked, thanks to administrative provisions of the Ministry of Health, to protect public health.

The numbers of the operation at international level

Globally, the operation Shield V led to:

• 4 clandestine laboratories discovered
• 52 criminal organizations under investigation
• 418 people reported
• Seizure of over 4.800.000 units of doping drugs and raw materials
• Total commercial value of seizures: 11,1 million euros
• Around 4.000 doping controls on athletes

This operation represents a further step forward in the Fight against pharmaceutical crime and in protection of public health, demonstrating the importance of the international cooperation in the fight against illicit drug trafficking.