Blow against the illegal drug trade on the Internet

Blow against the illegal drug trade on the Internet

In the fight against Internet drug trafficking in illegal international agencies products worth 6.3 million U.S. dollars (4.6 million euros) have been confiscated. Abroad, 55 suspects have been identified, arrested some of them. At the week-long operation "Pangea IV" led by Interpol is investigating authorities from 81 countries participating. It was the largest of its type, said Interpol. 13 500 websites were shut down and 2.4 million illegal pills has been ensured.

In Germany alone drew more than 1,100 inches of letters or packages with about 53 500 tablets, capsules and ampoules from the market, told the Federal Criminal Police (BKA) in Wiesbaden and the Customs Office with. These were mainly potency funds from abroad, but also sleep, pain and weight loss product as well as heart drugs and anabolic steroids were seized. Arrests did not exist in Germany. In which countries the other suspects live, was not immediately known.

"Illegal traders use the impartiality of the patient and not offer to approved hazardous to health and fake drugs for sale," said BKA chief Joerg Ziercke. This will be the health of people "at risk in reckless manner."

The professional presentation of appropriate web sites it more difficult for customers to distinguish legitimate from illegitimate offers. Moreover, there is a risk that personal data of the buyer being abused. "Patients can protect themselves by drugs - even over the Internet - related only in licensed pharmacies," said Ziercke.

Police in Germany have done so far this year 268 investigations relating to offenses against the drug law in the Internet. Most of the illegal products come from abroad, mainly from India, China, Eastern Europe and Africa.