Mexican Navy Busts Crime-Linked Fake Pharmacy Ring

Mexico — The Mexican Navy (SEMAR) has identified a network of illegal pharmacies allegedly operated by organized crime groups. The discovery is part of the second phase of Operation Albatross, which was first conducted in August 2023. The ongoing investigation targets pharmacies linked to criminal organizations across eight Mexican states.

Counterfeit and Adulterated Medications

These businesses are accused of selling counterfeit, adulterated, or drug-laced medications, including opioids. According to a report from the U.S.-based private agency AIT Enforcement, which collaborates with the Mexican Navy, authorities were alerted to the network after cancer patients—including minors—reported adverse reactions to falsified oncology drugs in Guadalajara, Jalisco.

On August 23, 2024, SEMAR, alongside the Specialized Prosecutor’s Office for Organized Crime (FEMDO), the Criminal Investigation Agency of the Attorney General’s Office (FGR), and AIT Enforcement, conducted a raid in Huentitán El Bajo, Guadalajara. There, they uncovered a criminal group dedicated to forging oncology and other medications, with operations extending to Mexico City and other regions.

During the same period, authorities shut down 54 illegal pharmacies in the Riviera Maya involved in the sale of unauthorized pharmaceuticals, allegedly controlled by organized crime.

Major Arrest and Seizures

In the recent operation, authorities arrested Josué N., alias "El Tacho," and seized 12,500 doses of counterfeit controlled medications for cancer treatment, along with 1,556 empty counterfeit boxes. The estimated value of the confiscated drugs exceeds 110 million pesos (approximately $5.5 million USD).

The criminal network allegedly purchased unregistered medications, applied counterfeit labels, and sold them at inflated prices—sometimes adulterated. Among the most falsified drugs was Keytruda, a cancer treatment with a market value exceeding 107,000 pesos ($5,350 USD) per dose. Other high-value counterfeit oncology medications included Jevtana, Trazimera, Hemlibra, and Opdivo. Lower-cost drugs such as Clonazepam and Misoprostol were also falsified.

A ledger recovered from the group documented 17 different medications being trafficked, along with their sale prices.

Nationwide Crackdown

According to the report, 41 such pharmacies were detected in eight states during 2024. SEMAR confirmed that operations to dismantle these networks are ongoing.

The issue of counterfeit drug trafficking has been under investigation in Mexico since 2023. As previously reported, Mexican and U.S. authorities identified unregistered pharmacies used by cartels to sell falsified medications—often laced with fentanyl, methamphetamine, and other opioids—primarily in tourist areas like Baja California and the Riviera Maya.

The U.S. State Department noted that these pharmacies primarily target American, Canadian, and European tourists, who unknowingly purchase drug-laced medications.

Previous Enforcement Actions

In August 2023, Mexico’s Federal Commission for the Protection against Sanitary Risks (COFEPRIS) and SEMAR launched Operation Albatross to combat the sale of counterfeit and unauthorized medications in Quintana Roo’s tourist hubs, including Playa del Carmen, Cancún, and Tulum. The operation involved 55 inspections, leading to the suspension of 23 pharmacies for selling unauthorized or adulterated controlled substances.

Sanctions included full or partial business suspensions and the seizure of products at the following locations:

Playa del Carmen–Solidaridad

• Farmacia PDC
• Farmacia PDC 10.2

Tulum

• Drugstore Pharmacy
• Farmacia Tulum Centro III
• Farmacia Tulum Coba
• Farmacia Tulum Europea

Cancún

• Farmacia Cancún Cristal
• Farmacia Cancún Tortugas
• Farmacia Cancún Forum
• Farmacia Cancún Coba
• Farmacia Simas
• Farmacia Drugstore

The investigation remains active as authorities continue efforts to dismantle the criminal networks behind these illegal operations.