Pretoria – The police have uncovered a drug syndicate selling steroids, scheduled medicine, stimulants and other performance-enhancing drugs online, and arrested six suspects – three men and three women.
“These suspects were arrested at various locations in Pretoria,” said police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Amanda van Wyk in a terse statement on Tuesday, (11 February 2025).
“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.
Lieutenant Colonel Van Wyk said the takedown operation took place on earlier Tuesday, 11 February 2025, following extensive investigation.
The investigations were carried out by the SA Police Service National Organised Crime Investigations Narcotics Unit, supported by the Transnational Vehicle Crime Investigation Unit, Gauteng Provincial Narcotics Unit, Crime Intelligence, and the K9 Search and Rescue Unit.
The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA), the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport, and the Financial Intelligence Centre were also involved in the probe.
“The suspects were reportedly operating an online website to trade and distribute counterfeit and illicit performance-enhancing drugs, scheduled medicines, steroids, and stimulants,” said Lieutenant Colonel Van Wyk.
Investigations, that included a forensic analysis, revealed that these products contain prohibited substances.
One of the products sold online as a “fat burner” contains 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,” said Lieutenant Colonel Van Wyk.
The suspects are expected to appear before a magistrate’s court later this week as investigations continue.
