Hundreds of thousands of counterfeit and illicit drugs seized in major Northern Ireland Operation

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

An international crackdown coordinated through Interpol has led to the seizure of over 840,000 illegal tablets worth £1.1 million in Northern Ireland.

More than 848,000 illicit and counterfeit drugs have been removed from circulation across Northern Ireland following a months-long international operation targeting the illegal pharmaceutical trade.

The large-scale enforcement action was part of Operation Pangea XVII, led by Interpol and supported locally by the Organised Crime Task Force (OCTF).

Running from 16 December 2024 to 16 May 2025, the coordinated operation resulted in:

• 848,376 tablets seized

• An estimated street value of £1.1 million

• 25 searches carried out

• 15 individuals interviewed under caution

Substances recovered included Pregabalin, Zopiclone, Diazepam, anabolic steroids, erectile dysfunction medication, Botox, and weight loss products—many of which were intended for illegal online distribution to Northern Ireland consumers.

Criminal networks targeting communities

Justice Minister Naomi Long condemned those behind the illicit trade:

“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 highlighted the health risks posed by unauthorised drugs:

“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.”

Police and border efforts praised

More than 846,000 tablets with a street value of £1.1m were removed from circulation thanks to Operation Pangea

Assistant Chief Constable Davy Beck of the PSNI stressed the long-term damage caused by illicit drugs:

“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.”

Seema Malhotra, UK Minister for Migration and Citizenship, also praised the UK Border Force’s role:

“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.”

Operation Pangea: A global fight against illegal medicines

Operation Pangea is a worldwide annual initiative targeting the illegal online sale and distribution of medicines. In Northern Ireland, enforcement was coordinated through the OCTF, a multi-agency body formed in 2000 to reduce the harm caused by organised crime.

Agencies involved in the Northern Ireland response include the Department of Justice, Department of Health, Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), UK Border Force, National Crime Agency, Public Prosecution Service, HMRC, Forensic Services NI, and An Garda Síochána.

The illicit drug trade remains a significant revenue stream for organised crime groups, enabling further criminal activity. Authorities have reaffirmed their joint commitment to dismantling these networks and safeguarding public health.