Germany edition

Police bust dope-dealing bodybuilders

Published: 19 Nov 09 16:22 CET
Online: http://www.thelocal.de/national/20091119-23387.html

Police in Heidelberg said on Thursday they had uncovered a massive anabolic steroid dealing operation, leading to the arrests of three people.

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Two men and one woman between the ages of 22 and 29 are in custody after police raided 11 homes in the cities of Mannheim, Ludwigshafen and Dannstadt-Schauerheim on November 5.

Authorities seized more than 70,000 doses of anabolic steroid tablets and 6,000 vials of testosterone. They also found smaller amounts of marijuana and amphetamines.

Heidelberg police spokesman Harald Kurzer said the drugs were being sold across Germany and had a street value of €80,000.

Four other people were taken into custody but later released after a preliminary hearing. All suspects involved in the case are bodybuilders themselves.

Police say the illegal substances being sold were all made in other countries, namely Thailand, Iran and Romania. They suspect the drugs were for amateur athletes.

“We know that they made contact to the underground labs was all made on the internet, though we’re still not sure on the path the drugs took to get here,” Kurzer told The Local. “Most of the sales were also done over the internet, but also in the fitness studios.”

Besides the drugs, police also found a pistol as well as other weapons such as brass knuckles, switchblades and a club, along with €3,500 in cash.

Heidelberg police said a 23-year-old was arrested in nearby Weinheim in September for selling the illegal muscle enhancing drugs.

Kurzer did not rule out further arrests in connection with the doping ring as the investigation continued.

Sabine Devins (news@thelocal.de)

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11:22 June 1, 2010 by adamprada

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