"Strengthening Global Defenses: ASEANAPOL Joins INTERPOL's Operation PANGEA XVII to Combat Counterfeit Pharmaceuticals"

On 28 November 2024, the ASEANAPOL Secretariat was represented by Executive Director Colonel David Martinez Vinluan, along with senior police officers DSP Abdul Hamid Abdul Hashim, ASP Nithia Perumal, and ASP Engku Nurul 'Aini Engku Malek, at the Operation PANGEA XVII Pre-Operational Briefing 2024 facilitated by INTERPOL.

The session, chaired by Mr. Perry NG, INTERPOL’s Criminal Intelligence Officer for Criminal Networks, Public Health, and Pharmaceutical Crime, was attended by 105 participants from over 190 INTERPOL member countries. This global participation underscored the importance of a coordinated, multi-sectoral response to the growing threat posed by counterfeit pharmaceutical crimes.

The primary objective of the briefing was to prepare participants for the forthcoming launch of Operation PANGEA XVII. Participants were given insights into the scope and objectives of the operation, which is now in its 17th iteration. Unlike previous editions, Operation PANGEA XVII involves not only law enforcement authorities but also prosecutors, private sector entities, and shipping companies, reflecting an enhanced multi-stakeholder approach. Participants were briefed on the specific medicines and pharmaceutical equipment targeted under the operation, with an emphasis on detecting new trends and emerging threats related to counterfeit products.

INTERPOL speakers provided participants with comprehensive guidance on detecting counterfeit pharmaceuticals, with a focus on methods to identify counterfeit drugs and medical equipment, trace the origin of counterfeit goods, and preserve evidence through proper labeling and cataloging. Practical identification techniques included spotting discrepancies in product appearance, packaging, and labeling. Participants were trained to trace the country of origin of counterfeit products by leveraging supply chain analysis, forensic tools, and international databases. These skills are essential for identifying the source of counterfeit production hubs and dismantling transnational crime networks.

The speakers highlighted the serious nature of pharmaceutical crimes, stressing their severe impact on public health and safety. Counterfeit drugs have been linked to fatalities and significant health complications worldwide, leading to stricter enforcement and accountability measures. As a result, those involved in the production, distribution, or trafficking of counterfeit pharmaceuticals are now classified as high-priority targets. INTERPOL emphasized that offenders engaged in these serious crimes are subject to the issuance of Red Notices, which function as international alerts for their location, arrest, and extradition. This classification signals the critical importance of apprehending these offenders to safeguard public health and prevent further harm.

By the end of the session, participants were equipped with the knowledge and operational tools necessary to combat counterfeit pharmaceutical crimes during Operation PANGEA XVII. They learned to detect, trace, label, and report counterfeit pharmaceutical products and gained a clear understanding of the legal consequences for offenders, especially the implications of being subject to an INTERPOL Red Notice. The participation of the ASEANAPOL Secretariat in this global initiative reaffirms its commitment to supporting international cooperation and strengthening its capacity to combat transnational pharmaceutical crime, thereby enhancing public health and safety across ASEAN member countries and beyond.