Published: Sunday November 22, 2009 MYT 4:54:00 PM
Interpol bust online illegal pharmacy racket
NEW DELHI: In a major crackdown across the globe, Interpol has uncovered 751 websites engaged in illegal online pharmacies selling dangerous and illegal drugs.
Mounting 'Operation Pangea II', the international anti-crime agency stemmed the mushrooming of internet-based illegal pharmacy operators worldwide.
Singapore and Thailand were two Southeast Asian countries involved in the global operation which ended last week, with 22 suspects currently under the Interpol scanner.
In a statement, Interpol secretary-general Ronald K. Noble said the agency's primary goal in the operation was to protect the public by removing counterfeit and illicit medicines from the market.
It did this by shutting down those engaged in illegal sales on the web and by criminally prosecuting those potentially putting the lives of innocent consumers at risk, he said.
The Interpol website reported that during the operation, 72 websites were removed and 995 packages inspected by investigators and Customs officials, while 167,000 illicit and counterfeit pills such as antibiotics, steroids and slimming pills were confiscated.
In the United States alone, the illegal business was estimated at around US$30mil (RM105mil).
Meanwhile in India, the Narcotics Control Bureau arrested three suspects in Hyderabad, early this month, suspected of operating an illegal internet pharmacy, selling drugs that needed prescription.
Indian investigators discovered drugs worth nearly RM3.7mil. - Bernama
News Poll
- Man posted doctored photos of Nik Aziz
- Heartbreaking wait for mum
- Sodomy II: Karpal claims judge lied (Updated)
- The world just got bigger
- Opposition leaders decry court’s ruling
- Thumbs-up for Najib
- Weather warning for Perak, Selangor and Sabah
- 5-0 for BN’s Zambry
- Saiful files report over death threat
- WWF: Orang asli being used
- 60 lose RM25mil in gold investment scam
- Canberra to set new skills list
- Sodomy II: Karpal claims judge lied (Updated)
- MAS offers CNY bargains
- ‘Flashing candy’ a health hazard: Health Ministry
- Fleet card cloning ring busted with arrest of trio
- WWF: Orang asli being used
- Vietnamese plumber fined RM10,000 over RM75 bribe
- Toyota puts the brakes on problem
- Manila joins hunt for Semporna gunmen
RSS
