THE HAGUE, 23 March. - (ANA) - A joint investigation team consisting of Polish and Czech authorities, coordinated by Eurojust has been crucial in exposing the operation of a criminal network illegally distributing substances across the EU with anabolic and other hormonal effects.

 

The international criminal group operating in Austria and the Czech Republic were illegally distributing various substances using postal shipments and routes.  Thanks to the coordination of authorities, in June 2025, 16 house searches and searches of other premises carried out across the Czech Republic led to the discovery of 60 000 commercial packages of anabolic steroids. 10 suspects were detained and property worth over EUR 150 000 was confiscated. In February of this year an additional 4 suspects were detained.  It is estimated that the criminal network generated over 

 EUR 400 000 through the illegal distribution of these medical substances. 

 

Eurojust assisted in setting up a joint investigation team with Czech Republic and  Poland, which became operational in March 2025, bringing together authorities at Eurojust to coordinate the ongoing investigations, and prepare the cases to be brought to trial. Eurojust organised a coordination meeting and assisted in extensive European Investigation Order transmissions to several EU Member States. 

 

Criminal proceedings are currently underway in Poland with the aim of apprehending other members of the international criminal group. 

 

 

- Czech Republic: Regional Public Prosecutor´s Office Brno; Brno Anti-Drug Department of the General Directorate of Customs; Czech Police, National Anti-Drug Unit 

 

- Poland: Silesian Branch of the Departament of Organised Crime and Corruption of the National Prosecutor’s Office in Katowice, Board of the Central Bureau of Investigation of the Police in Katowice, Military Police – Branch in Szczecin and Polish Anti-Doping Agency POLADA.   - (ANA)-

 

AB/ANA/23 March 2026  - - -