More than 140,000 tablets and capsules worth over €430,000 were seized in Ireland in the last week, as part of an international operation targeting counterfeit and illegal medicines.

The Health Products Regulatory Authority, Revenue and gardaí today announced details of their role in a global Interpol initiative, which took place from 9-16 June.

Among the drugs seized were weight loss products, medicines for erectile dysfunction, anabolic steroids, teeth whitening products, pain killers, cholesterol lowering medication, insulin and mood stablisers.

'Operation Pangea' led to eight illegal websites being shut down - five Irish based - through either domain name or payment facility removal.....