Cyprus participates in Interpol operation Pangea to seize illicit products

Between March 10 and March 23, 2026, the Republic of Cyprus participated in the 15th annual Interpol operation Pangea, aimed at identifying and seizing illicit pharmaceutical products sold online. The Cyprus Police, specifically the Intellectual Property and Illegal Betting Unit alongside the Drug Law Enforcement Unit, coordinated the national efforts. Various state departments, including the Pharmaceutical Services, Customs Department, and the State General Laboratory, conducted 12 coordinated operations and border inspections. Authorities successfully confiscated more than 3,400 items, including medicines, narcotics, food supplements, and tobacco products. Globally, the operation involved 90 Interpol member countries and resulted in 158 investigations, the seizure of goods valued at over $15.5 million, the removal of 5,700 illegal websites, 269 arrests, and the dismantling of 66 criminal organizations. This international initiative was organized in cooperation with Europol, the World Customs Organization, and the World Health Organization.