WADA applauds law enforcement partners following success of Operation Shield VI

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) congratulates its law enforcement partners in the European Union on the success of Operation Shield VI, which over the course of 2025 led to the seizure of more than EUR 33 million-worth of counterfeit medicines and doping substances, investigation of 43 criminal groups, and prosecution of over 3,300 individuals across the continent.

As was the case in previous editions, Operation Shield VI was coordinated by the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement (Europol) and supported by the European Anti-Fraud Office, INTERPOL, the European Union Intellectual Property Office, and the European border and coast guard agency, Frontex. In what was a complex and multifaceted operation, it also included the efforts of law enforcement, judicial, customs, medical, and anti-doping authorities in 30 European countries.

Of note from an anti-doping perspective was the seizure of more than 2.5 tonnes of raw materials and 4,100 liters of active ingredient to be used to produce performance enhancing substances, as well as 4.1 million tablets/pills seized and removed from the global market. Intelligence gleaned from the investigations also directly led to the targeted execution of more than 5,500 in-competition and in excess of 5,900 out-of-competition anti-doping controls over the course of 2025.

WADA I&I supported many of the aforementioned investigations, and several of the seizures were a direct result of coordinated efforts initiated by WADA’s I&I Capability and Capacity Building project in Europe that was carried out from 2022-2024. The success of that project led to the creation of WADA’s Global Anti-Doping Intelligence and Investigations Network (GAIIN).

WADA Director, Intelligence and Investigations (I&I), Günter Younger, said: “WADA congratulates Europol and its European partners on the resounding success of Operation Shield VI. Operation Shield continues to be a success story in Europe and beyond, as evidenced by the substantial number of seizures and arrests made. It is also further tangible evidence of the success of WADA’s Intelligence and Investigations Capability and Capacity Building project, which was carried out in close cooperation with Europol. Operation Shield VI was contingent on the collaborative efforts of all stakeholders involved, and WADA is proud to have played a part in its success.”

In February 2021, WADA strengthened its cooperation with Europol with the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the two organizations, in the area of sports doping. The MOU is similar to that which has been in place between WADA and the global law enforcement agency, INTERPOL, since 2009.

In recent years, WADA has signed other MOUs and partnership agreements with organizations working towards a range of complementary objectives, including in education, pharma, scientific research, medicine, the support of whistleblowers, capacity building and regional development.

More about GAIIN

The current phase of GAIIN’s expansion involves anti-doping organizations and law enforcement agencies from every country in Asia and Oceania. The next phase will take place in the Americas in 2026-2027, and will conclude in Africa in 2028-2029.