Nearly 270 people suspected of drug trafficking have been arrested and 66 criminal groups dismantled in a police operation carried out in 90 countries, Interpol said Thursday, expressing particular concern about the diversion of antiparasitic products.

Operation "Pangea XVIII", organized in March on all continents, also resulted in the seizure of more than 6 million illicit remedies, worth $15.5 million, according to a statement from the international criminal police organization, headquartered in Lyon (east-central France).

Among the unlicensed or counterfeit drugs seized were remedies for erectile dysfunction, sedatives, painkillers, antibiotics, and products to help quit smoking.

"Thanks to online marketplaces and informal supply chains, criminals can exploit loopholes in controls and target people seeking quick or affordable treatment," says Interpol Secretary General Valdecy Urquiza, who warns of "serious, even fatal" consequences.

The organization notes a "sharp increase" in seizures of antiparasitic drugs, particularly dewormers authorized only for veterinary use. These products, often presented as "food supplements," are sold as "alternative cancer treatments," Interpol explains, before emphasizing that "these claims are not supported by any scientific evidence."

Interpol recalls that the use of this type of product had "already been observed" during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Demand for performance-enhancing and lifestyle-related pharmaceuticals, such as steroids and peptides, continues to grow, "fueled by bodybuilding and fitness communities," Interpol continued.

Among the notable cases uncovered during the operation, a clandestine drug manufacturing plant was dismantled in Bulgaria, where millions of tablets, ampoules, and injectable products were seized. In Burkina Faso, authorities confiscated 384,000 antibiotic capsules. In Côte d'Ivoire, a ton of counterfeit ibuprofen was discovered in a vehicle.