Authorities from 122 different countries joined Portugal in the action against businesses suspected of selling illegal medicines over the internet.

The international police agency, Interpol, said the action, known as Operation Pangea X, involved 197 police, customs and health regulatory authorities and led to the seizure of 25 million illicit and counterfeit medicines worldwide.

Interpol said more than 3,000 online advertisements for illicit drugs, were suspend, including dietary supplements, painkillers, epilepsy drugs, antipsychotics and nutritional products.