How to get on a Watchlist (S2, E7): How to get rich selling fake drugs online

In this episode we discuss how to get rich selling fake drugs online with pharma-crime expert Anne Devaud. Anne is the global head of product security at one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical firms, and talks to us about counterfeit medicines, and the risks these pose to patients. Anne explores trafficking and diversion of drugs, as well as the criminal gangs behind sophisticated pharma-crime operations. Coming from a 25 year career in both the private sector, and in France’s customs enforcement agency, combating crimes such as smuggling and counterfeiting, Anne shares fascinating insights into this dangerous field. As she also holds a Masters in political science from the Institute Etudes Politique in Bordeaux, and a degree in crisis management from France’s national security and justice college, we also discuss the geopolitical aspects of pharmacrime.

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How to Get Rich Selling Fake Drugs Online – How to get on a Watchlist

In this episode, we speak to Anne Devaud, global head of product security at one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical firms, about the threats posed by pharmacrime gangs. She has spent the last 25 years in both the private sector, and in France’s customs enforcement agency combating crimes such as smuggling and counterfeiting. Anne holds a Masters in political science from the Institute Etudes Politique in Bordeaux, and a degree in crisis management from France’s national security and justice college.Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/EncyclopediaGeopolitica

If you liked this episode, don’t forget to subscribe on your podcast platform of choice. Please also consider supporting our work via a Patreon subscription (getting you access to early releases and other perks), or by tipping us on Ko-fi. While the topics we discuss here are often shrouded in secrecy and security classifications, we really hope you’ll tell your friends about us!

Books and media mentioned during the episode, and suggestions for further research on this topic:

• Pharmacrime (Juma Pamoja)
• Illicit: How Smugglers, Traffickers and Copycats are Hijacking the Global Economy (Moises Naim)

Additional reading suggestions can be found on our 2024 geopolitical reading list.

Purchases made using the links in this article earn referrals for Encyclopedia Geopolitica. As an independent publication, our writers are volunteers from within the professional geopolitical intelligence community, and referrals like this support future articles.

The hosts:

Lewis Sage-Passant is a researcher in the field of intelligence and espionage, and a former British Military Intelligence Officer. Lewis holds a PhD from Loughborough University in intelligence studies, and is an adjunct professor in intelligence at Sciences Po Paris. He has extensive experience working and living in the Middle East and Asia Pacific regions in a variety of geopolitical analysis and intelligence roles, supporting the energy industry, the financial sector, leading technology firms, and the pharmaceuticals sector. He has appeared in numerous media outlets, including the BBC, France24, CNBC, Harvard Business Review, The New Arab, El Mundo, GQ, and others, discussing intelligence, geopolitics, and security topics.

Aleksandra Szylkiewicz is a multilingual security and intelligence professional based in France, currently serving as Geopolitical Intelligence & Travel Security Manager at an international luxury fashion conglomerate. She is a graduate of Sciences Po Paris, where she completed a degree in International Relations/International Security, and has experience providing threat monitoring and geopolitical analysis to public and private entities across various sectors and regions, producing actionable intelligence and decision-making support. She has lived in Mexico and in various countries across Europe.

The production team:

Producer: Edwin Tran

Additional credit goes to several unnamed members of the Encyclopedia Geopolitica team, as well as our colleagues in the intelligence and security community who helped to make this podcast possible

If you liked this episode, don’t forget to sign up to our mailing list and subscribe on your podcast platform of choice. Please also consider supporting our work via Patreon. While the topics we discuss here are often shrouded in secrecy and security classifications, we really hope you’ll tell your friends about us!