janoshik
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Under the leadership of the Brno Anti-Drug Department of the General Directorate of Customs and in cooperation with Slovak and Polish colleagues, a joint investigative team carried out the final implementation of a criminal case with the working title COAL at the end of May.
In a case involving illegal production and subsequent distribution of substances with anabolic effects, the team apprehended 19 individuals and seized cash, funds in bank accounts, virtual currencies, investment coins, and other movable and immovable assets worth over one hundred million Czech koruna. Two production laboratories were uncovered, along with hundreds of thousands of illegally manufactured anabolic steroids in tablet and ampule forms, as well as over 300 kilograms of substances used in their production.
For at least ten years, an international organized group primarily operating from the Czech Republic engaged in the illegal production of anabolic steroids in both the Czech Republic and Poland. Through various online discussion forums and websites focused mainly on bodybuilding, the group offered and sold their products practically worldwide. The proceeds from these criminal activities, which yielded relatively high profits due to minimal production costs compared to standard manufacturing, were gradually legalized through dozens of so-called "straw men," cryptocurrency exchange accounts, and bank accounts in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Lithuania, Malta, and Bulgaria.
The first indications of possible illegal trade in anabolic steroids were noted by the customs administration's anti-drug department approximately two years ago. These were shipments containing tablets destined for the United States. By tracking the shipments, senders, recipients, and other clues, the network of illegal traders involved in these dangerous substances slowly began to unravel. It was also discovered that the main organizers likely operated from the Moravia region. Eventually, connections were established with additional information provided by colleagues from Slovakia and Poland.
The final phase of the operation took place simultaneously in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Poland. Nine individuals were detained in the Czech Republic, with four in custody; five were apprehended in Slovakia, and another five in Poland, three of whom were placed in custody. The value of the assets seized in Slovakia has not yet been fully determined. As part of the evidence, twelve computers and laptops, thirty-five mobile phones, eight firearms with ammunition, two vehicles, and hardware cryptocurrency wallets were confiscated.
If the offense of production and other handling of substances with anabolic and other hormonal effects is proven, the main organizers face a potential prison sentence of up to twelve years.
In the efforts to dismantle this dangerous international gang, the National Anti-Drug Headquarters cooperated with Czech customs officers, the Polish CBSP Katowice unit, the Slovak NAKA, EUROPOL, and EUROJUST.
