Steroids worth millions of dollars seized and three people arrested in state’s largest-ever gym drug bust
Millions of dollars worth of steroids have been seized and three people arrested after police busted the largest syndicate of its kind in Victoria.
On Friday, police broke up the “sophisticated” drug ring after a months-long investigation into reports that steroids and other prescription drugs were circulating in Melbourne gyms.
Police allege two men bought drugs from an overseas supplier and resold them online from a Port Melbourne gym.
They are said to have hundreds of clients, including some with links to organized crime.
Detectives from the North West Metro Regional Crime Squad arrested two men, aged 27 and 32, following a seven-month investigation.
A search of their Docklands apartments is said to have revealed multiple distribution centers containing millions of dollars worth of illegal steroids and drugs. Police also seized $130,000 in cash.
On Friday, police broke up the “sophisticated” drug ring after a months-long investigation into reports that steroids and other prescription drugs were circulating in Melbourne gyms.
The quantity of drugs seized was so large that detectives will have to return to the address a second time to collect the rest of the evidence.
Investigators then searched a gym in Port Melbourne where they also found a large quantity of illegal steroids.
A fifth search warrant, carried out at a property in Flemington, found a further $45,000 in cash and more illegal steroids.
The two men will appear in the Melbourne Magistrates' Court today Saturday.
They have been charged with a range of offenses including trafficking in a commercial quantity of prescription drugs, trafficking in anabolic steroids, trafficking in diazepam and knowingly dealing with the proceeds of crime.
A 37-year-old woman was also arrested and charged with possession of methylamphetamine. She will appear in the Melbourne Magistrates' Court on February 26, 2024.
Police allege two men bought drugs from an overseas supplier and resold them online from a Port Melbourne gym
Victoria Police said it will take investigators several days to count and weigh the drugs and cash, but the stash is believed to be worth millions of dollars.
Detective Inspector Patrick Watkinson said the steroid bust was the biggest the state had ever seen.
“We have discovered a state-of-the-art drug distribution center, the largest of its kind in Victoria,” he said.
'What caught our attention is that they are allegedly selling drugs to organized crime figures, not only profiting heavily from this, but also facilitating their lavish lifestyle.
'The community may think that dealing with performance-enhancing drugs is harmless, but we are looking at the bigger picture here: tackling all aspects of organized crime, including the people associated with it.
Detective Inspector Patrick Watkinson said the steroid bust was the biggest the state had ever seen
'We want this to send a message to those who associate themselves with people linked to organized crime. If you are connected, even in the slightest way, your activities are more likely to be detected.
'This work is about limiting the networks and connections of organized crime figures. We want those causing harm in our community to feel the pressure from all angles.
'Medications should be provided by licensed doctors and pharmacists, and not by personal trainers in a gym.'
ACT Policing also executed a number of arrest warrants on Friday and arrested a group of people allegedly involved with the syndicate.
NSW Police also executed a number of arrest warrants in connection with the drug ring.
More charges are expected to follow.