Finance Ministry Investigation Service joins Europol operation against medication falsification, doping trade

In its statement, the agency noted the Georgian participation had made a “significant contribution” to the operation - organised between April and October - along with agencies of France, Greece, Italy and Spain, with the effort involving police and customs authorities from 28 countries. Photo: is.ge.

Agenda.ge, 19 Dec 2022 - 17:08, Tbilisi,Georgia

The Investigation Service of the Ministry of Finance of Georgia took part in a “coordinated operation” of the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation targeting trafficking of counterfeit and misused medications and doping substances, the Service said on Monday.

In its statement, the agency noted the Georgian participation had made a “significant contribution” to the operation - organised between April and October - along with agencies of France, Greece, Italy and Spain, with the effort involving police and customs authorities from 28 countries.

Photo from Europol's facebook

Law enforcement officers seized over 10.5 million medication products, dismantled 59 criminal groups, arrested 349 suspects, terminated 10 underground laboratories and seized a “large amount” of misused, falsified or counterfeit medications, doping products and substances, it also noted.

Illegal food, sport supplements, counterfeit Covid-19 vaccines, sanitary products and medical devices were also seized in the operation.

The European Anti-Fraud Office coordinated the agencies with the financial support of the European Union Intellectual Property Office. The effort was further supported by the World Anti-Doping Agency, World Customs Organisation and national medicine agencies.