INTERPOL and the World Health Organization (WHO) have signed a cooperation agreement to strengthen international action against health-related crimes, including organ trafficking, counterfeit medicines and the misuse of hazardous materials.
The agreement establishes a framework combining law enforcement capabilities with public health expertise to identify threats, coordinate responses and protect vulnerable populations.
What Does the INTERPOL-WHO Agreement Cover?
The partnership aims to improve cooperation between police agencies and public health authorities in responding to threats that cross national borders. It will focus on situations requiring coordinated action, including unusual biological events and the accidental or deliberate misuse of chemical or radioactive materials.
The organisations will also work together to strengthen preparedness for major international events and mass gatherings, where health emergencies can create significant public safety challenges.
INTERPOL Secretary General Valdecy Urquiza said criminal activity and public health risks are becoming increasingly interconnected, requiring closer cooperation between health authorities and law enforcement agencies.
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How Will the Partnership Address Organ Trafficking?
A major priority is combating trafficking in persons for organ removal and the illegal trade in human organs, tissues and cells.
The organisations intend to strengthen international cooperation against criminal networks exploiting vulnerable individuals for illegal medical activities. According to United Nations figures cited in the coverage, the illicit organ trade is estimated to be worth between $840 million and $1.7 billion annually.
The partnership seeks to improve the identification of such crimes and support coordinated responses across jurisdictions.
What Action Is Planned Against Fake Medicines?
INTERPOL and WHO will cooperate to address the illicit production and distribution of goods that directly threaten public health. These include falsified medicines, vaccines and medical devices, along with counterfeit personal protective equipment.
The initiative will also address unsafe or fraudulently labelled food and beverages, as well as illegally produced alcohol. Such products can enter supply chains and expose consumers to health risks, making cooperation between regulators, health agencies and police authorities essential.
The agreement also supports implementation of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.
How Will Countries Respond to Health Emergencies?
The agreement provides for closer coordination during exceptional incidents involving public health and security. These may include biological emergencies, hazardous material incidents and threats affecting large public gatherings.
WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus described health security as a global security concern, emphasising the importance of protecting both health systems and public trust.
The partnership will combine WHO’s international health coordination role with INTERPOL’s law enforcement network across 196 member countries.
What Role Will Food Safety Authorities Play?
WHO’s International Food Safety Authorities Network, known as INFOSAN, is expected to support international coordination against food fraud and unsafe consumer products.
The network connects food safety authorities across countries and facilitates the exchange of information during incidents involving potentially dangerous food products.
Dr Luz María De Regil, WHO’s Director of Nutrition and Food Safety, highlighted the importance of international cooperation in identifying affected products and coordinating their removal from markets. The approach is intended to help authorities respond more quickly when unsafe or fraudulent products cross borders.
Why Is International Cooperation Necessary?
Health-related criminal networks can operate across multiple jurisdictions, complicating investigations and enforcement. INTERPOL contributes police cooperation, criminal intelligence and investigative support, while WHO provides public health expertise and international coordination.
The agreement is intended to help countries identify emerging threats, protect consumers and strengthen responses to criminal activity affecting public health. It establishes a cooperation framework rather than announcing specific arrests, enforcement operations or financial commitments.
The420 Insight
The INTERPOL-WHO agreement recognises that crimes involving counterfeit medicines, illegal organ trading and hazardous materials cannot be addressed through healthcare regulation alone. Criminal networks can exploit weaknesses in supply chains and differences between national enforcement systems. Closer cooperation between police, health authorities and regulators could improve detection and response, although the effectiveness of the partnership will depend on how its commitments are implemented.
About the author — Ayesha Aayat writes on cybercrime, digital safety, and emerging online threats. Her work focuses on public awareness, legal clarity, and technology-driven risks.
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