Justice Minister Naomi Long has stated that a major operation to seize illicit medicines has prevented significant harm and potentially saved lives across Northern Ireland.

During Operation Pangea, a two-week global initiative led by INTERPOL, agencies including the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), Border Force, and the Department of Health's Medicines Regulatory Group (MRG) intercepted 177,500 illegal and unlicensed tablets. The seized items, which were destined for distribution throughout the region, have an estimated street value of £350,000. In addition to the seizures, authorities executed 12 search warrants.

Justice Minister Naomi Long commented: "The medicines and products seized during Operation Pangea have been removed from circulation. Crucially, this means that operational partners have prevented harm and potentially saved lives by stopping them from reaching homes, families and communities across Northern Ireland. When agencies work together, share intelligence and combine expertise, the results are far more powerful than any single organisation could achieve alone." Assistant Chief Constable Davy Beck, head of the PSNI's Crime Department, highlighted the "inevitable devastation" that illicit prescription drugs bring to communities. He issued a stern warning to those involved in the trade: "I want to send a clear message to those intent on supplying illegal drugs, of any type: we will work tirelessly to disrupt your potentially lethal, money-making activities, and we'll do everything in our power to ensure you face justice. We will continue to work with partner agencies and other forces to identify suppliers and supply lines."

The Chief Medical Officer, Professor Sir Michael McBride, warned the public about the severe health risks associated with unregulated medicines. He noted that products purchased from unauthorised websites often lack quality control and are not prescribed by healthcare professionals, leading to potentially fatal consequences.

Professor McBride added: "I urge the public not to be tempted by what look like cut prices or fooled by professional looking websites offering medicines without prescription. This type of collaborative work has led to the interception and seizure of many illegal medicines which would otherwise have ended up in general circulation. This has likely saved lives, as people are often unaware of the dangers or potentially fatal consequences of taking these unprescribed drugs."