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Gauteng police have broken up a syndicate selling steroids, scheduled medicine, stimulants, and other performance-enhancing drugs online in contravention of several laws.
Police spokesperson, Lieutenant-Colonel Amanda van Wyk, said six people, three men and three women, were arrested at various locations in Pretoria on Tuesday.
She said they face multiple charges related to the contravention of the Drugs and Drug Trafficking Act, Medicines and Related Substances Act, and the Counterfeit Goods Act.
Van Wyk said the “takedown operation” followed an intensive investigation by various police units and organisations, including the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA), and the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport.
“The suspects were reportedly operating an online website to trade and distribute counterfeit and illicit performance-enhancing drugs, scheduled medicines, steroids, and stimulants.
“Investigations, that included a forensic analysis, revealed that these products contain prohibited substances.
“One of the products sold online as a "fat burner" contains Dimethylphenethylamine, an isomer of methamphetamine (commonly known as crystal meth or Tik),” Van Wyk said.
She said during the arrests, the team seized a substantial quantity of counterfeit and illicit performance-enhancing drugs, steroids, scheduled medicine, and stimulants as well as electronic devices.
The suspects are expected to appear before a magistrate's court later this week as investigations continue.
