Garda-organised crime units are to crack down on gangs dealing in anabolic steroids when the products are added to the list of controlled drugs, such as cocaine and heroin.
Both gardaí and medicines inspectors are concerned at the growth in the illicit sale of steroids online, much of it controlled by criminal networks both here and abroad.
They are urging owners and managers of gyms to be vigilant for any trade in steroids on their premises, pointing out that the abuse of steroids can result in heart problems or stroke.
The warnings came as the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA), along with the customs service and gardaí, put on display some of the 142,000 fake tablets and capsules seized during a one-week period.
The seizures, worth more than €430,000, consisted of medicines such as:
- Sedatives: 104,000 units (tablets);
- Anabolic steroids: 12,000 units;
- Erectile dysfunction: 8,000 units;
- Slimming: 2,000 units;
- Others (such as cosmetics): 16,000 units.
The seizures had been made in the week June 9-16 and were part of a global Interpol operation, code-named Pangea VIII.
Source: Cormac O'Keeffe, Irish Examiner, 19/06/15
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