Company 'imported three tonnes of steroids'
Swiss authorities have launched a criminal investigation into a company that allegedly imported three tonnes of steroids illegally into Switzerland.
Swissmedic, the agency for the authorization and supervision of therapeutic products, said it began the proceedings after learning the company imported Androstenedione, a steroid, from Germany without approval.
“Three tonnes, that’s a lot,” Lukas Jaggi, spokesman for Swissmedic, is quoted as saying by the SDA news agency.
“It doesn’t often happen.”
Jaggi confirmed information earlier reported by the NZZ am Sonntag newspaper.
“We do not know what the company intended to do with these three tonnes (of products),” he said.
The company was not identified.
With alleged boy-building properties, androstenedione was banned by the International Olympic Committee.
It is also used for reducing ageing.
Scientific studies, however, have shown that the steroid’s muscle-building and anti-ageing qualities are unproven.
But documented risks of adrostenedione include increased risks of heart attacks, fertility problems, hair loss and acne.
Jaggi told the SDA news agency that the case is before the federal criminal court.
Infractions against the Swiss federal law on medicine can lead to a maximum fine of 500,00 francs and up to five years in prison.
Last August, Swiss customs officials made significant seizures of androstenedione after checking delivery documents.
Officials contacted Swissmedic, which opened a criminal investigation into the people in charge of the company involved.
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Swissmedic, the agency for the authorization and supervision of therapeutic products, said it began the proceedings after learning the company imported Androstenedione, a steroid, from Germany without approval.
“Three tonnes, that’s a lot,” Lukas Jaggi, spokesman for Swissmedic, is quoted as saying by the SDA news agency.
“It doesn’t often happen.”
Jaggi confirmed information earlier reported by the NZZ am Sonntag newspaper.
“We do not know what the company intended to do with these three tonnes (of products),” he said.
The company was not identified.
With alleged boy-building properties, androstenedione was banned by the International Olympic Committee.
It is also used for reducing ageing.
Scientific studies, however, have shown that the steroid’s muscle-building and anti-ageing qualities are unproven.
But documented risks of adrostenedione include increased risks of heart attacks, fertility problems, hair loss and acne.
Jaggi told the SDA news agency that the case is before the federal criminal court.
Infractions against the Swiss federal law on medicine can lead to a maximum fine of 500,00 francs and up to five years in prison.
Last August, Swiss customs officials made significant seizures of androstenedione after checking delivery documents.
Officials contacted Swissmedic, which opened a criminal investigation into the people in charge of the company involved.
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