Dangerous Operation Pen: PF targets smuggling and sale of medicines in RJ

The Federal Police launched, on the morning of this Thursday (9), Operation Dangerous Pen to investigate a scheme for the irregular import and sale of weight-loss medicines without registration with Anvisa (National Health Surveillance Agency). The action takes place in Volta Redonda, in the south of Rio de Janeiro.

In total, three search and seizure warrants were executed, two in the Três Poços neighborhood and one in the Santo Agostinho neighborhood. The court orders were issued by the 3rd Federal Court of São João de Meriti.

According to the PF, the investigation began after receiving an anonymous complaint that indicated that one of those investigated was selling weight loss medications without authorization from Anvisa.

Police officers investigate the irregular import and sale of these products, which are not registered with the regulatory agency, a mandatory condition for them to be legally sold in the country.

During the execution of the warrants, agents seek to gather evidence that can strengthen the investigation and clarify the suspects' participation in the scheme. According to the Federal Police, those being investigated could be held responsible for the crimes of smuggling and selling medicines without registration with Anvisa.

Informal market on the rise
The operation takes place at a time of expansion of the clandestine market for weight loss medications in Brazil. A survey by Scanntech shows that the consumption of weight-loss pens grew 239% in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the same period last year.

According to the study, more than 50% of the doses of these medicines in circulation in the country may originate from informal marketing channels. The estimate was made based on the analysis of the evolution of sales of syringes for insulin administration, which registered growth above expectations simply due to the increase in consumption of the diabetes medication.

While the formal market increased by 125% in revenue and 63% in volume during the period, the survey indicates that a significant part of the products used by consumers are purchased outside the regular distribution chain, without sanitary control.

Survey: more than half of Brazilians know about weight-loss pens

Source: CNN