The National Police of Ukraine has dismantled the largest underground operation in the country producing anabolic steroids, which were misrepresented as imported products for athletes.

The suspects manufactured mixtures for muscle gain, body 'cutting,' and weight loss in a regular apartment without adhering to basic safety and hygiene regulations. The products contained active substances intended for treating severe diseases, particularly cancer.

These components have strict contraindications, but the criminals sold them in elevated doses without prescriptions or any medical oversight.

The products were sold as imported medications from Malaysia, and the packaging was falsified.

The operation was conducted by investigators from the Main Investigation Department of the police with the operational support of the Criminal Investigation Department and assistance from the Main Department of Internal Security of the SBU under the procedural guidance of the Office of the Prosecutor General.

During simultaneous authorized searches in Kharkiv, Kyiv, Odesa, and Lviv regions, police seized over 20,000 packs of anabolic steroids, 3,000 vials of unknown substances, specialized equipment for production, packaging, and labeling, as well as over 37 million hryvnias in various currencies.

The police announced charges against all five suspects for the sale of knowingly falsified medicinal products using information technology, committed by an organized group.

This is the first case in Ukraine's history where charges have been brought for the falsification of steroids: police were able to prove that the products contained active substances that, according to the legislation, are classified as medicinal products.

The suspects face up to 15 years of imprisonment with asset confiscation.