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More than 846,000 illegal tablets destined for NI seized

Michael Fitzpatrick
BBC News NI
BBC Large clear bags showing boxes of seized medicines. The bags are placed on the floor, with some placed on wooden desks around the room. There are also a few cardboard boxes which are also filled with white medicine boxes. There is a large poster in the background with 'Confronting Organised Crime through Agency Partnership' written on it.BBC
The illicit medicines include pregabalin, diazepam and some weight loss products

Counterfeit and illicit medicines, with a street value of about £1.1m, have been seized during a major operation targeting criminal gangs.

The drugs, which were destined for Northern Ireland, were recovered over a five month period from December 2024 to May 2025.

More than 846,000 tablets were seized including diazepam which is used to treat anxiety, pregabalin which is used to medicate epilepsy and anxiety, steroids, botox and weight loss products.

The major crackdown is part of Operation Pangea, an international initiative led by Interpol.

Keeping money away from gangs

Justice Minister Naomi Long said the operation was removing cash from the pockets of organised crime gangs.

"This is an initiative led globally by Interpol, which aims to combat the illegal online trade in counterfeit and unlicensed medicines and health products," she added.

"Operation Pangea doesn't just disrupt criminal activity, it also gives us a platform to raise awareness about the dangers of purchasing medicines online which can often be unregulated, counterfeit and potentially deadly.

"We need to recognise this is just one part of a much larger ongoing effort."

PA Media ACC Davy Beck, who is an older man with white short hair, is standing on the left and wearing a police uniform of a white shirt and tie along with badges, is looking to his left at Naomi Long. Long has long, ginger hair and is wearing a black and white patterned shirt. She is speaking into a number of microphones at a podium. Beside her is Mike Nesbitt, who is also looking at Long. He has grey short hair, and is wearing a pair of glasses, a blue suit jacket, a light green tie and a white collared shirt. All three are standing in front of a large white board with 'Organised Crime Taskforce' written on it.PA Media
ACC Davy Beck, Naomi Long and Mike Nesbitt attended the latest Operation Pangea update on Thursday

Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI)'s Assistant Chief Constable Davy Beck said the destruction and devastation caused by illicit pharmaceuticals "must not be underestimated".

"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."

'Unregulated and counterfeit drugs'

A close-up image of diazepam foil tablet packets which are encased in a large clear plastic bag which is sealed with yellow tape.
The fake tablets were destined for Northern Ireland but were seized

The Health Minister Mike Nesbitt warned the drugs were "unregulated, substandard and counterfeit."

"What concerns me is the damage that could do to individuals who were taking those, either in good faith or because they are being forced into it," he added.

"These organised crime groups are only interested in themselves and the damage they are doing to individuals, and the pressure that is putting on the health and social care system, is something that we have to deal with."