The Economic Police Directorate dismantled a criminal organisation that produced and distributed illegal anabolic steroids and other pharmaceutical preparations in Greece and abroad.

In their warehouses were found more than 380,000 tablets – ampoules containing anabolic and other illegal pharmaceutical substances, more than 104 kilos of raw material. Indeed, the illegal financial benefit estimated to be gained from the sale of the seized products is estimated to exceed 2,500,000 euros.

A coordinated operation was carried out on Wednesday morning in areas of Attica, during which 2 people were arrested, accused of – in some cases – criminal organisation, violation of the legislation on sport, forgery, harmful drugs and theft, while the case file includes 2 more people.

To get there, the authorities were preceded by a month-long investigation, with the assistance of Europol, the National Medicines Agency and the National Anti-Doping Agency, which revealed the existence of a criminal organisation, whose members, at least since 2019, were active in the manufacture and supply of prohibited anabolic substances to athletes, professional or not, in order to improve their athletic performance.

From the evaluation and analysis of the evidence of the case it was found that:

– They operated a fully equipped laboratory for the production of pharmaceutical preparations, as well as an appropriately designed area for their packaging, in the home of the leading member.

– forged pharmaceutical products of branded companies, using all the necessary materials to make them appear genuine (holograms, instruction sheets and EOF authenticity strips).

– they also made available for sale illegal preparations for the treatment of side effects (erectile dysfunction, etc.)

– equipment and raw materials were supplied from European and Asian countries,

– the distribution of the illegal preparations was carried out within the country and abroad, through two websites that they maintained.

In searches carried out in homes, businesses and vehicles, among other things, were found and seized:

– complete equipment for the production and packaging of pharmaceutical preparations,

– more than 380,000 tablets – ampoules containing anabolic and other illegal pharmaceutical substances, more than 104 kilograms of raw material,

– numerous packaging materials (boxes, ampoules, plastic packaging, instruction sheets, holograms, labels, etc.) and EUR 2 630.

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In addition, special equipment used for cryptocurrency mining, powered by electricity theft, was identified from searches at the home of the lead member.

The illicit financial benefit estimated to be gained from the sale of the seized goods is estimated to exceed EUR 2,500,000.

The arrested persons were taken to the competent prosecuting authority and referred to an investigating magistrate.

It is recalled that citizens may contact, anonymously or anonymously, at the telephone number 11012 or at the Greek State’s portal (gov.gr) “Complaint for economic crimes”, to provide information or to report illegal and persistent actions or activities against the sector of the economy, public property, as well as social and insurance welfare and rights.