Over 31,000 tonnes were confiscated last year, mainly in cities and seaports, with shipments from countries including Malaysia, Thailand, and Turkey.

The honey, containing sildenafil or tadalafil – the active ingredients in Viagra and Cialis – remains popular despite warnings since 2021 about health risks, including heart disease. Authorities say young men, influenced by viral trends and pornographic content, are driving demand.

Illegal products under brands like Black Horse and Royal Honey are sold online and in convenience stores. A student fined €15,000 had earned €50,000 selling such products online, claiming ignorance of their true ingredients.

Emergency rooms report rising cases of severe side effects, including a 36-year-old man who required surgery for penile necrosis. “There is no reliable dosage in these products,” warned Juliette Bloch of the National Health Safety Agency. A doctor bluntly noted: “Something that makes you hard instantly does not just contain plants.”