Anabolic steroid trafficking ring dismantled with €500,000 in illicit profits – Three police officers and a doctor implicated

The Internal Affairs Service of the Security Forces has fully dismantled a criminal organisation that was systematically involved in the importation, storage, distribution and sale of anabolic substances and pharmaceutical products without the required licence.

As part of police operations carried out in the Attica region, three members of the organisation were arrested, including a police officer. At the same time, investigations by the authorities are ongoing to locate another member of the network, who is believed to be abroad and is being sought internationally.

To dismantle their activities, a police operation was carried out on Friday morning (09/07/2026) in areas of Attica, during which three members of the criminal organisation were arrested, including a police officer, while another foreign national member is being sought abroad.

In addition, 11 other individuals are facing charges for separate criminal acts not linked to the activities of the criminal organisation, including two more police officers and a doctor at a public hospital.

A case file was filed against those involved, depending on the circumstances, for the formation and participation in a criminal organisation, violations of legislation concerning the fight against doping and the distribution of anabolic substances, pharmaceutical legislation, as well as legislation on weapons and narcotics.

Regarding the background of the case, a lengthy and thorough police investigation preceded the arrests, launched following the assessment of a complaint. The combined evaluation of all evidence revealed that, at least since August 2025, the members of the organisation had formed a structured criminal group with continuous activity, whose sole purpose was the procurement, storage, distribution and sale of anabolic substances and pharmaceutical products included in the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Prohibited List, generating significant illegal financial gains.

Specifically, it was established that the foreign member of the organisation imported the illegal substances from abroad, while together with an arrested member he managed the storage facilities. The substances were then distributed either directly to interested buyers or through the police officer-member of the organisation and his accomplice. The latter had also developed a separate customer network and were responsible for promoting the products, informing buyers about their use, collecting payments and managing the illegal proceeds.

Deliveries were carried out either through face-to-face meetings or postal shipments, while payments were made through bank deposits or electronic instant money transfer applications.

It also emerged that, in May 2026, the members of the criminal organisation were forced to adjust their operations following an international operation coordinated by Europol aimed at combating the trafficking of counterfeit medicines and food supplements. Specifically, they increased the counter-surveillance measures they used and sought new sources for supplying illegal products, while continuing their criminal activity without interruption.

During searches carried out at homes and storage facilities, authorities found and seized:

• 111,720 anabolic substance tablets,
• 7,985 vials of anabolic substances,
• 8,346 vials of bacteriostatic water used for the preparation of injectable products,
• a special-type launching device (weapon),
• 10 blank cartridges,
• 4 stun grenades,
• 3 CS-type smoke grenades,
• small quantities of cocaine and raw cannabis.

Based on the ongoing recording and assessment of the seized anabolic substances and pharmaceutical products, combined with the investigative data from the case and market information, their total value is estimated at approximately €500,000.

The arrested individuals were taken before the competent prosecutorial authorities and subsequently referred to an investigating judge.