The South African Police Service (SAPS) has uncovered a drug syndicate selling steroids, scheduled medicine, stimulants and other performance enhancing drugs (PEDs) online.
Six suspects, three men and three women, have been arrested at various locations in Pretoria.
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.
The takedown operation took place on Tuesday following extensive investigations by the SAPS National Organised Crime Investigations (OCI) Narcotics Unit, supported by the SAPS' Transnational Vehicle Crime Investigation (VCI) Unit, Gauteng Provincial Narcotics Unit, Crime Intelligence, SAPS K9 Search and Rescue, the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA), the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport and the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC).
The suspects were reportedly operating an online website to trade and distribute counterfeit and illicit performance-enhancing drugs, scheduled medicines, steroids and stimulants.
Investigations, which included a forensic analysis, revealed that the products contained prohibited substances.
One of the products sold online as a "fat burner" contained Dimethylphenethylamine, an isomer of methamphetamine (commonly known as crystal meth or Tik).
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. – SAnews.gov.za
