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Tuesday, 23 July, 2002, 17:00 GMT 18:00 UK

Record steroids haul in Belgium

Belgian police have seized 550 kilograms (1,200 pounds) of illegal anabolic steroids in the biggest single seizure of the drug in Western Europe, officials said.

Side effects of anabolic steroids
Acne
Facial hair in women
Breast development in men
Shrunken testicles
Infertility
Depression
Insomnia
Mood swings

The haul was discovered in three searches near the border with the Netherlands, which took place on Friday and Tuesday.

The drugs, worth $136.5m (£87.5m), were destined to be sold in six different countries, probably mainly in Britain, a police spokesman said.

Two men and a woman were detained during the raids.

Future raids

Further searches were being planned, a police spokeswoman said.

The spokeswoman said in Belgium the steroids, found in capsule and pill form, were "just as illegal as cocaine and heroin".

Anabolic steroids are used illegally by some bodybuilders and athletes to enhance performance.

Medical experts are concerned their use is spreading among amateur fitness enthusiasts. They link the use of steroids to depression and say the drug can lead to liver and kidney diseases.


Related to this story:
Addicted to bodybuilding (22 Nov 00 | Health) Internet steroid sales warning (05 Feb 02 | Health) Weight training too far (15 Nov 01 | Health) Steroid misuse widespread (11 Apr 02 | Health) Nandrolone and anabolic steroids (05 Aug 99 | Medical notes) Doping: Banned substances (26 Jan 99 | Medical notes)


Internet links: DrugScope | Radio 1 guide to anabolic steroids
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