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The MHRA has said its criminal enforcement unit (CEU) seized over £17m worth of “illicit medicines” and shut down hundreds of websites and social media accounts between December and May. 

An ongoing MHRA crackdown has seen over £17m worth of “illicit medicines” seized and hundreds of websites shut down over a six-month period.

Between December 2024 and May 2025, the watchdog’s criminal enforcement unit seized 7.7 million doses of medicines as part of Operation Pangea, a global Interpol-coordinated effort to stop criminal networks trafficking black market medicines.

The drugs, which included “powerful” painkillers, anti-depressants and sleeping pills, had an estimated street value of £17.2m. 

“Several” arrest operations were also carried out in the UK, with gangs denied nearly £1.4m in criminal profits. 

And 367 websites and social media accounts illegally marketing these medicines to the public have been removed, said the MHRA.

CEU head Andy Morling advised the public that buying from unverified sources “online or elsewhere” means the safety and efficacy of products cannot be guaranteed. 

“Some can contain dangerous or illegal ingredients that could result in severe illness, addiction or even death,” Mr Morling said. 

Read more: Illicit online medicine sales ‘a global phenomenon’

12 arrested in MHRA crackdown