Hundreds of thousands of counterfeit and illicit drugs seized
Date published:
The results of a major operation to remove illicit medicines from circulation, have been announced today by the Justice and Health Ministers and PSNI.
Justice Minister Naomi Long said:
“Criminal gangs have no respect for borders, the victims they create or the communities they destroy – just lining their pockets for their own selfish gain. The success of this operation shows the importance of collaborative working. By collectively using all the resources at our disposal we can ensure real tangible progress towards a safe society for all.”
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt said:
“The illicit medicines recovered during Operation Pangea were destined for Northern Ireland, leaving none of our communities safe from the dangers presented by drugs like these. Drugs purchased from unregulated sites are not prescribed by a healthcare practitioner, may not have been subject to the normal controls on manufacture and may not be of a suitable quality or be of the nature described.
“My Department’s Medicines Regulatory Group works proactively all year round with its key partners, including Police and Border Force to highlight and curtail this activity when possible and I am grateful for their ongoing commitment.”
Assistant Chief Constable Davy Beck said:
“The destruction and devastation which illicit pharmaceuticals cause in our communities, must not be underestimated and the sustained action from the Organised Task Force and partners in tackling this criminality has undoubtedly reduced inevitable harm to people in Northern Ireland.
“I want to send a very clear message to those involved in the supply of counterfeit prescription drugs that we will do everything in our power to disrupt their activities as part of our sustained drive against drugs and criminality.”
UK Border Force - Minister for Migration and Citizenship, Seema Malhotra said:
"Border Force officers work tirelessly to protect the UK's borders from dangerous and illicit goods. Border Force has played a crucial role in Operation Pangea, preventing hundreds of thousands of potentially harmful counterfeit medicines from reaching communities across Northern Ireland.
"This illegal trade not only funds organised crime but puts the health and wellbeing of the public at serious risk. Border Force remains committed to maintaining secure borders and keeping our streets safe. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to disrupt criminal networks that profit from these dangerous activities."
The annual campaign targets the online supply of illicit medicines that pose a significant threat to consumer safety, including counterfeit medicines and medicines diverted from legal and regulated supply chains.
The drugs represent a major source of income for organised crime groups and support other crime activity.
Northern Ireland was one of multiple countries worldwide to simultaneously take part in an international Interpol led enforcement-based initiative, Operation Pangea XVII. In Northern Ireland it involved partnership working between law enforcement agencies and government departments under the auspices of the Organised Crime Task Force (OCTF).
This year the major crackdown took place over five months (16 December 2024 -16 May 2025) and resulted in:
- The seizure of 848,376 tablets
- With a street value of £1.1 million
- 25 searches carried out across Northern Ireland
- 15 people were interviewed in police custody
Seizures included Pregabalin, Zopiclone, Diazepam, steroids, erectile dysfunction, Botox and weight loss products.
Notes to editors:
- Photo caption: Pictured with drugs seized during the five months of action are: Justice Minister Naomi Long, ACC Davy Beck from the PSNI and Health Minister Mike Nesbitt More than 846,000 tablets with a street value of £1.1m were removed from circulation thanks to Operation Pangea.
- The OCTF was established in 2000 and works to reduce the harm caused by organised crime, through multi agency partnership and to secure a safe community in Northern Ireland, where we respect the law and each other.
- OCTF provides an essential strategic leadership forum for tackling organised crime in Northern Ireland.
- Partner agencies involved include: Department of Justice, Police Service of Northern Ireland, Department of Health, Public Prosecution Service, An Garda Siochana , Border Force, National Crime Agency, Her Majesty's Revenue & Customs and Forensic Services NI.
- More information about the work of the OCTF can be found on the Organised Crime Task Force website.(external link opens in a new window / tab)
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