site.btaCustoms Agency Participates in Operation SHIELD V

More than 41,000 single doses and another 5,260 packages of medicines, anabolic preparations and food supplements were seized by the Customs Agency as part of Operation SHIELD V, the National Customs Agency said in a press release on Friday.

The operation, which is now in its fifth year, was initiated by Europol. It was implemented in 2024 with the aim of countering illegal trade and distribution of medicines, doping substances, anabolic steroids, hormonal substances, food supplements and erectile dysfunction drugs. The operation is conducted within the European Multidisciplinary Platform Against Criminal Threats (EMPACT) and is supported by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex), the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and national medical agencies.

In the framework of SHIELD V, Bulgarian customs officers have made 30 detentions, resulting in 22 administrative offence acts and 1 pre-trial proceeding. During checks at the Bulgarian border, customs officials have detected medicines, anabolics, food supplements and sexual stimulants in various forms - injections, tablets, sachets, capsules and ampoules. A total of 41,000 single doses in the form of tablets, ampoules and sachets, as well as another 5,260 packets of various medicines and anabolic preparations and also food supplements of unknown origin were seized.

Operation SHIELD V involved the active participation of customs authorities from 12 EU Member States, namely Austria, Bulgaria, Denmark, Spain, Greece, Croatia, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Portugal, Slovenia, Slovakia. This joint effort was further supported by the respective right holders, ensuring that counterfeit goods were accurately identified and swiftly intercepted. The joint action of the customs authorities led to the seizure of significant quantities of illicit goods, including: 3.4 million pills, over 59,000 packages (sachets, sprays, wrappers, pens), 1,510 vials (ampoules, vials) and 272 pieces of medical devices.