Dismantling of illicit production of steroids and medicines in Poland

The European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) contributed to an action targeting pharmaceutical crime carried out by the Central Bureau of Investigation in Poland. The operation dismantled an organised criminal group producing and selling illicit medicinal products, mainly anabolic steroids, that were marketed via websites. The investigation revealed that the group may have been operating for over a year.

During the action three factories and six warehouses were raided and shut down, several tons of falsified medicinal products and components necessary for their production and the detention of nine suspects. The estimated amount of the confiscated material amounts to 50 million zloty, equivalent to around €11.5 million. The operation is the result of several months of investigation by the CBŚP police officers and the Polish National Prosecutor's Office with the expert support provided by several bodies including OLAF.

OLAF contributed to the investigations carried out by the Polish CBŚP by liaising with the national authorities in the other EU member states concerned in this case. It also contributed to operational meetings and investigative strategies, facilitating the exchange of information useful to advance the investigation. Connecting the dots is an important value-added of OLAF operations which in this case not only damaged an effective criminal network but also safeguarded citizens’ health and protected legitimate businesses.

For more information, images and video footage please see the press release issued by the Polish authorities.