Nov 25, 2009, 11:44 GMT
Vienna - Austrian police have uncovered what was likely one of the biggest international networks peddling illegal growth hormones for athletes, the police authority of Lower Austria province said Wednesday.
Investigators found some 2 tons of illicit substances in several large warehouses in Lower Austria and Vienna and have arrested five suspects so far.
The seized materials were made in China and Eastern Europe and allegedly were sold over the internet through middlemen in several countries including Britain, Bulgaria and Germany. Customers as far as the United States ordered from the network, the police authority said.
The large-scale crackdown on the suspects took place in mid- November. The doping substances that were found included anabolic steroids, other types of hormones and stimulants. Police valued the stock at several 100,000 euros (150,000 dollars).
The network's products were also found in several Austrian fitness studios.
Authorities said the arrested suspects were from more than one country, but did not release any further information about them, citing ongoing investigations.
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