Fitness professionals arrested for trafficking in doping substances. Also from China the ‘rape drug’
The raw materials, mainly anabolic steroids, stimulants, anorectics and erectile dysfunction products, coming from China, arrived in Italy via Germany, in the form of powders, to then be assembled in clandestine laboratories
ROME – Drug trafficking from China passed through Germany and arrived directly at a clandestine laboratory in San Marino. The material was then sent, often through unsuspecting couriers, to local sellers distributed throughout the national territory. The Nas of Rimini carried out 11 precautionary measures, ordered by the investigating judge of the Court of Rimini, specifically 3 precautionary custody in prison and 8 obligations to report to the judicial police. They are accused, for various reasons, of crimes of criminal association aimed at trafficking in doping substances, including those with narcotic effects (largely nandrolone, an anabolic steroid), importation of substances from abroad harmful to public health and self-laundering. Among those under investigation are professionals from the world of fitness (in particular body building) and nutrition, managers of gyms and commercial establishments specializing in food supplements.
The investigative activity began in June 2021 when, following a report from the Customs Agency, a shipment containing large quantities of anabolic substances was identified. The operation, as a whole, made it possible to dismantle a structured organisation, based in San Marino, dedicated to the trafficking of doping substances throughout the national territory and with extensive international links for the supply of active ingredients.
The raw materials, mainly anabolic steroids, stimulants, anorectics and erectile dysfunction products, coming from China, arrived in Italy via Germany, in the form of powders , to then be assembled in clandestine laboratoriesby a small group of suppliers, for the production of mixes of doping products, which are particularly harmful to health. Once made, the final product was transferred to a warehouse in San Marino, to then be shipped, often through unsuspecting couriers, to local sellers distributed throughout the national territory. The substances produced in the clandestine laboratory were often transported to the storage warehouse, cleverly hidden inside spare wheels.
During the course of the investigation, the warehouse and the clandestine laboratory were identified and seized inside which, among other things, a total of 26 bottles of the rape drug, 1200 vials of nandrolone, 20 kg of ephedrine, 400 kg of active ingredients for the production of anabolics, steroids and growth hormones, as well as 700 thousand tablets already packaged and ready for sale.
The expeditions thus reached a large customer base, loyal over the years, mainly represented by gym goers, body-building professionals and young people recklessly eager to improve their physique. The orders for the substances were carried out through encrypted communications on WhatsApp and Telegram or through dedicated web platforms, on which it was possible to register and choose the prohibited product.
During the execution of the orders, over 50 carabinieri belonging to the NAS and the territorially competent departments of the Army and Europol personnel were present for the further development of the transnational profiles of the investigation.
It should be noted that the criminal proceedings in question are in the preliminary investigation phase and thatfor everyone the principle of the presumption of innocence applies to the subjects subjected to investigations until the guilt has not been ascertained with a sentence or criminal decree of conviction which has become irrevocable.