National Police uncovers the largest underground production of steroids in the history of Ukraine
18 June 20:01
Law enforcement officers have dismantled a large-scale scheme to manufacture counterfeit anabolic steroids that were sold to athletes, bodybuilders and fitness enthusiasts under the guise of imported drugs. This was reported by "Komersant Ukrainian" with reference to the National Police of Ukraine.
The clandestine production operated in an ordinary rented apartment, where mixtures for building muscle mass, “drying the body and losing weight” were made in an artisanal way without any observance of sanitary standards or basic safety rules.
These products contained powerful active ingredients commonly used in cancer therapy, hormone treatment, or autoimmune diseases. Such components have strict contraindications and require individual dosage. Nevertheless, the drugs were sold in high doses, without a prescription and without any medical control. Often through anonymous pages on social media, messengers, and online stores.
The drugs were sold under the guise of products from Malaysia, Italy, and the Balkans. The packaging was falsified, with labels copying the design of real brands to make it difficult to detect counterfeiting. Some of the steroids even had QR codes that led to fake manufacturer websites.
The operation was carried out by investigators of the Main Investigation Department of the National Police under the operational support of the Criminal Investigation Department, jointly with the SBU Main Directorate of Internal Security. Procedural supervision was provided by the Prosecutor General’s Office.
During the searches, law enforcement officers seized more than 20,000 packages of anabolic steroids, 3,000 ampoules with unknown substances, special equipment for manufacturing, packaging and labeling of products, as well as more than UAH 37 million in various currencies.
Five members of the organized criminal group were served a notice of suspicion of selling knowingly counterfeit medicines using information technology. This is the first case in Ukraine where the police managed to prove that counterfeit steroids contained active ingredients that are considered medicines under the law.
The investigation is ongoing. The police urge citizens to refrain from purchasing medicines from unverified sources and to consult a doctor before using any means to improve sports performance.
What are the dangers of anabolic steroids?
Anabolic steroids are synthetic analogues of the male hormone testosterone, which are sometimes used in medicine, but most often in sports and fitness to build muscle mass. The problem is that self-administered or long-term use of steroids without medical indications can lead to serious health consequences. Among them:
1. Hormonal imbalance. The body stops producing its own testosterone. In men, this can lead to impotence, infertility, and testicular shrinkage. In women, it can lead to a coarsened voice, facial hair, and menstrual irregularities.
2. Problems with the heart and blood vessels. Steroids increase the level of “bad” cholesterol, cause hypertension, which increases the risk of strokes and heart attacks – even at a young age.
3. Liver damage. Oral steroids are especially dangerous. They can cause fatty liver, hepatitis, or even tumors.
4. Mental disorders. The so-called “steroid psychosis” is widespread: aggression, irritability, paranoia, depression. There is evidence of suicide in the setting of steroid discontinuation.
5. Growth disorders (in adolescents). Steroids stop bone growth – a teenager will forever remain shorter than his or her potential.
6. Dependence. Physical and psychological. People often can’t stop – they want “even more muscle” or can’t stand the deterioration in their health after stopping the substance.
7. Risk of infections. If drugs are injected, especially in non-sterile conditions, this can lead to hepatitis or HIV infection.
Читайте нас у Telegram: головні новини коротко
