Europe: Record steroid bust leads to hundreds of arrests

[IronMeister]

A Europe-wide police operation has led to the seizure of tons of steroids, 234 arrests, and the dismantling of 17 crime groups. It was the largest operation of its kind ever conducted.

    
A massive police operation that involved Europe's police agency (Europol), the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), and Italian and Greek police led to the seizure of 24 tons of steroid powder, 234 arrests, the closure of nine underground labs, and the dismantling of 17 organized crime groups, Europol said Monday.


"This is the sort of multi-party collaboration that produces real results and can make a significant impact on the availability of counterfeit and illegal drugs used by some athletes globally," said Gunther Younger, intelligence director at WADA.

The operation stemmed from urine and blood tests carried out by WADA officials at various sports events, though the body did not specify when and where the tests were conducted.

Officials said some 1,000 individuals have since been reported for the production, use, and sale of performance-enhancing drugs, and 839 criminal cases have now been opened.

WADA was influential in uncovering the complex trafficking system used to distribute the contraband drugs.

WADA said dealers used social media platforms to advertise their products. Non-professional athletes then used rechargeable credit cards and cryptocurrencies to purchase small amounts of the illicit drugs, which were distributed through gyms and online pharmacies.

The police operation, codenamed Viribus, was coordinated by Europol, led by Italy's Carabinieri and Greek police, and involved agents from Interpol, the Joint Research Center, and the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF).

Some 23 EU nations and 10 non-EU countries, including Colombia, Switzerland, and the United States, also participated in the operation that netted 3.8 million illegal medicines.

Read more: Opinion: Russia hasn't learned a thing

The operation comes at a time when government agencies have taken a more active role in combating the scourge of performance-enhancing drugs in sports.

"Over the last 20 years, the worldwide trade in anabolic substances has increased significantly," Europol said.

Most recently, high-profile cases have included charges against Russian military intelligence officers in a case brought by the US Department of Justice, as well as accusations that the head of the international biathlon federation in Austria had covered up Russian doping.


"So many of the busts that have happened in the sports world for doping recently have only been possible because police have wiretapping ability and other investigative powers that normal anti-doping agencies and sports organizations don't have," said Max Cobb, president, and CEO of the US Biathlon Association.

"We would like to congratulate all member states and other organizations that contributed to this successful operation," said WADA's Gunther Younger.

https://www.dw.com/en/europe-record-steroid-bust-leads-to-hundreds-of-arrests/a-49517655

[obsidian]

They don't want Caucasian men with high testosterone in Europe. The governments probably gave the confiscated steroids to refugees rapefugees so they can have an advantage in aggression (physically and sexually).

[budgiesmuggler]

Make Europe white again.

[Powerlift66]

Did the Keystone Cops break in w/ their billy-clubs, and chase the criminals around to the Benny Hill theme song?

[Dokey111]

They don't want Caucasian men with high testosterone in Europe. The governments probably gave the confiscated steroids to refugees rapefugees so they can have an advantage in aggression (physically and sexually).

[ratherbebig]

arnold classic europe will not recover

[IroNat]

Organized crime is behind illegal steroids just like other illegal drugs.

Make something illegal and you create a revenue source for criminals.

[Griffith]

Organized crime is behind illegal steroids just like other illegal drugs.

Make something illegal and you create a revenue source for criminals.

Exactly!

[Thin Lizzy]

Organized crime is behind illegal steroids just like other illegal drugs.

Make something illegal and you create a revenue source for criminals.

The drug war might be the most idiotic idea ever. It has accomplished nothing but put a large amount of resources in the hands of criminals, and it hasn’t even decreased drug use.

[LurkerNoMore]

Well hell, post the names of the labs.

[IroNat]

The drug war might be the most idiotic idea ever. It has accomplished nothing but put a large amount of resources in the hands of criminals, and it hasn’t even decreased drug use.

It's dumb.

Just like prohibition.

[deadz]

My three packs arrived no problem as usual.🙂

[dan18]

The drug war might be the most idiotic idea ever. It has accomplished nothing but put a large amount of resources in the hands of criminals, and it hasn’t even decreased drug use.

but weed is legal in most states makes you lazy and burns out the brain cells

[ratherbebig]

which drugs do you think should be legal? all of them?

[stuntmovie]

Was the IFBB mrmbership involved in any of this testing?

[dan18]

which drugs do you think should be legal? all of them?

not at all but roids on some level shouldn't be

[_bruce_]

I doubt the powder was of high quality - most likely China based shite.

[Thin Lizzy]

but weed is legal in most states makes you lazy and burns out the brain cells

It’s a victimless crime. If someone wants to sit around and smoke weed all day, that’s their business. How is it different than sitting around and eating junk food all day? The point is that the drug war has been a colossal failure.

There seems to be a notion that if drugs were made legal everyone would go on wild drug use sprees. If heroin were made legal, would you start shooting up? I wouldn’t.

[illuminati]

The drug war might be the most idiotic idea ever. It has accomplished nothing but put a large amount of resources in the hands of criminals, and it hasn’t even decreased drug use.

This x2
It’s very likely increased drug trade.

What a waste of $’s, Time, & Effort For Zero Net improvement to Society

[IroNat]

Drug war = Epic waste of resources.

[IRON CROSS]

You can get unlimited supply of any 'juice' from any Indian medicine manufacturer.

Time of shitty 'garage' juicers is long gone , except Plonker Lab Pty Ltd in London