Press release no 5/2026
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For the sixth consecutive year, the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) has facilitated the efforts of customs authorities from 14 EU Member States in Operation SHIELD VI, a coordinated crackdown against the illegal trade of medicines, anabolic steroids, doping substances, and unregulated food supplements.

OLAF played a coordinating role, working closely with customs authorities to facilitate the confiscation of over 3.1 million pills, 104,000 packages of illicit goods, 23,014 ampoules and flasks, and more than 1,000 kilograms of medicines, doping substances, food supplements and other unauthorised substances. Many of these products may contain unknown or hazardous ingredients, incorrect dosages, or no active pharmaceutical components, meaning their consumption could lead to severe health complications.

The operation saw participation from customs authorities in 14 EU Member States - Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, France, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Slovenia, and Slovakia and Spain - as well as Italy's Guardia di Finanza. Close collaboration with rights holders ensured the accurate identification and interception of counterfeit goods before they could reach consumers.

Petr Klement, Director-General of OLAF, emphasised the critical role of cross-border cooperation and interinstitutional cooperation with Europol in tackling this issue: "The trade in illegal medicines represents a persistent and evolving threat, not only to public health but also to the integrity of the legal supply chain. By combining efforts, OLAF, Europol, and national customs authorities have safeguarded European consumers from dangerous health products".

Operation SHIELD VI underscores the EU's ongoing commitment to combating the illegal trade in medical and doping products. By strengthening enforcement measures and enhancing coordination between Member States, authorities have taken a significant step in protecting public health and maintaining consumer confidence in regulated medicines.

For detailed results of the operation, please refer to the press release issued by Europol.

OLAF mission, mandate and competences:

OLAF's mission is to detect, investigate and stop wrongdoings related to EU funds.

OLAF fulfils its mission by:

• carrying out independent investigations into fraud and corruption involving EU funds, so as to ensure that all EU taxpayers' money reaches projects that can create jobs and growth in Europe;
• contributing to strengthening citizens' trust in the EU Institutions by investigating serious misconduct by EU staff and members of the EU Institutions;
• developing a sound EU anti-fraud policy.

In its independent investigative function, OLAF can investigate matters relating to fraud, corruption and other offences affecting the EU financial interests concerning:

• all EU expenditure: the main spending categories are Structural Funds, agricultural policy and rural development funds, direct expenditure and external aid;
• some areas of EU revenue, mainly customs duties;
• suspicions of serious misconduct by EU staff and members of the EU institutions.

Once OLAF has completed its investigation, it is for the competent EU and national authorities to examine and decide on the follow-up of OLAF's recommendations. All persons concerned are presumed to be innocent until proven guilty in a competent national or EU court of law.

For further details:

Pierluigi CATERINO
Spokesperson
European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF)
Phone: +32(0)2 29-52335
Email: olaf-mediaec[dot] europa[dot] eu(olaf-media[at]ec[dot]europa[dot]eu)
https://anti-fraud.ec.europa.eu
LinkedIn: European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF)
X: x.com/EUAntiFraud
Bluesky: euantifraud.bsky.social