Police crackdown on doping in Catalan gyms: nine arrested for illegally selling drugs

BarcelonaThe Mossos d'Esquadra (Catalan police) launched a police operation early Wednesday morning focused on the trafficking of medications and substances linked to doping. According to ARA, the Catalan police are attempting to dismantle a criminal network that supplied substances to gym clients seeking to enhance their physical performance and increase muscle mass. The operation, centered in the Barcelona metropolitan area, involved 150 officers from various units. However, it appears the criminal group distributed these substances nationwide. Furthermore, they had a network of companies abroad through which they laundered the money earned from their illicit business. Throughout the day, the Mossos arrested nine people: eight men and one woman. They also carried out 13 searches, mostly in apartments and not gyms, even though that's where the end clients were located, and seized up to €200,000 in cash and a large quantity of illegal medications. These searches took place in Barcelona, ​​Masnou, Vilanova i la Geltrú, Prat de Llobregat, Hospitalet, Castelldefels, Vallirana, Canyelles, and Salou. The operation was led by the Central Consumer Unit and the Central Money Laundering Unit of the Mossos d'Esquadra (Catalan Police). Agents from the DIC (Criminal Investigation Division), the Mobile Brigade, the Canine Unit, the Scientific Police, the Citizen Security Unit, and the Central Coordination Room also participated in the deployment. Members of Europol and the Estonian police were invited as international observers. The case is currently under seal.