An operation seeks to dismantle a large gang of clandestine anabolic steroids which operates throughout Brazil, this Tuesday morning (14).
In total, they are fulfilled 15 arrest warrants and 18 of search and seizure at various addresses in the city of Rio de Janeiro, in Niterói, São Gonçalo and Maricá. One of the search orders is carried out in the Federal District.
Operation Kairós is carried out by the Civil Police of Rio de Janeiro and the Specialized Action Group for Combating Organized Crime (GAECO) of the Public Ministry of RJ.
According to the Public Ministry, companies Next Pharmaceutic, Thunder and Plus Supplements are part of the conglomerate involved in the sale of anabolic steroids. The gang is considered one of the largest in the country.
Until now, 14 people were arrested and one of the targets is on the run . See some of the arrests below.
This Tuesday’s action is the result of an investigation that began in July 2024. After a partnership with the Post Office, the police identified large shipments of anabolic steroids sent daily to different states across the country.
Police say the substances were manufactured clandestinely and without supervision by health authorities. They still contained, in the formulas, toxic and harmful substances for humans, such as insect repellents.
A movement of R$80 million in the bank accounts of some of those investigated. Since July, the police have seized more than 2,000 illicit substances that would be sent, generating a loss of more than R$500,000 to the criminal group.
In total, GAECO denounced 23 people for crimes of criminal association falsification, corruption, adulteration or alteration of products intended for therapeutic or medicinal purposes and crimes against consumer relations.
The accused sold the substances to customers of 26 Brazilian states.
GAECO prosecutors claim that the suspects sold and distributed products without registration in the competent health surveillance body, of unknown origin and acquired from companies without authorization from the health authorities.
Anabolic steroids were promoted and sold on websites and social networks without information about health risks. The gang also sponsored major bodybuilding events and professional athletes in addition to paying digital influencers to boost sales.
Investigations continue to identify resellers, influencers and sponsored athletes to multiply the criminal group’s sales. They received more than R$10 thousand per month to promote the brand.
THE CNN try to contact the defense of the companies mentioned for positioning. The space remains open.
This content was originally published in Operation targeting a large gang of clandestine anabolic steroids in RJ on the CNN Brasil website.
Source: CNN Brasil
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