| Interpol Bust Online Illegal Pharmacy Rackets |
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By P. Vijian
NEW DELHI, Nov 22 (Bernama) -- 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$30 million (RM105 million).
Meanwhile in India, the Narcotics Control Bureau arrested three suspects in Hyderabad, early this month, suspected of operating an illegal internet pharmacy, selling drugs which needed prescription.
Indian investigators discovered drugs worth nearly RM3.7 million.
-- BERNAMA
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