Malpensa Airport has seized a massive amount of illegal drugs and pesticides: nearly 2.000 medications and over 50 liters of banned insecticide were seized.

VARESE – Record seizure at Malpensa airport, where the Finance Police of the Malpensa Group and officials of the Customs and Monopolies Agency intercepted a large quantity of drugs and chemical substances not authorised for import into the national territory.

During intensified checks at the customs border, authorities identified 1.980 pharmaceutical products lacking the necessary health authorizations and 200 bottles of a powerful insecticide, for a total of over 57 liters of toxic substance.

The control operation

This activity is part of a broader plan to strengthen security controls and prevent customs violations. Through the analysis of passenger and cargo flows, the support of advanced screening technologies, and the experience gained in combating illicit imports, it was possible to intercept a cargo potentially dangerous to public health.

The seized drugs

The medicines found were intended for the treatment of particularly serious pathologies, such as:

• cardio-cerebrovascular diseases;
• multiple sclerosis;
• spinal cord injuries;
• as well as being used in combination with weight loss diets.

Many of these products are not marketed in Italy and do not comply with current health regulations, thus posing a risk to consumers. The lack of official certification raises the risk that the substances may contain active ingredients in non-compliant dosages or have been altered from the original drugs.

The case of Dichlorvos: a highly toxic pesticide

Particularly alarming is the discovery of 200 bottles of "Dichlorvos," an insecticide used against bed bugs and other pests. Although known for its effectiveness, the compound is considered extremely dangerous to human health.

Since 2013, its sale has been banned in the European Union, as inhalation, ingestion, or even skin contact with dichlorvos can be fatal. Toxic effects range from mild symptoms such as eye irritation and general malaise to severe neurological, neuromuscular, and respiratory impairment.

Public safety and protection of the state

The seizure at Malpensa confirms the importance of customs controls as a safeguard of legality and security. Authorities emphasize that operations of this type serve a dual purpose:

• protection of public health, preventing the spread of dangerous or uncertified substances;
• protecting state interests by combating illegal trade and evasion of health and tax regulations.

The seized products will be subjected to further checks, but the serious risk they would have posed if placed on the national market remains evident.