site.btaSofia Customs Seizes Over BGN 200,000 Worth of Anabolic Steroids in Smuggling Busts

Sofia Customs officers seized more than 1,700 boxes of anabolic steroids during two separate inspections of outgoing shipments last week, the National Customs Agency said on Monday. The illicit cargo, valued at over BGN 200,000, was intended for recipients in Israel, the United Kingdom, Denmark, the Netherlands, and other EU countries.

The first seizure took place on July 25, when officers from the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Department, acting on risk analysis and surveillance data, inspected several packages labelled as office supplies, destined for third countries. X-ray scans revealed the presence of 10,800 tablets of Proviron and Oxantrolone, as well as 6,330 ampoules containing Testosterone Enanthate, Nandrolone Decanoate, and Boldenone Undecylenate, which are powerful anabolic agents commonly used for performance enhancement.

A second confiscation occurred just days later, on July 28, when additional outgoing shipments, also falsely declared as office supplies, were found to contain 5,640 ampoules of various anabolic steroids. These were on their way to EU destinations, where they were reportedly intended for illegal distribution in fitness centres.

All the illicit substances were confiscated, and administrative proceedings have been initiated. The Bulgarian Drug Agency has also been notified of the incidents.

Anabolic steroids are synthetic drugs designed to mimic the effects of male hormones like testosterone. While they can be legally prescribed for certain medical conditions, they are often misused by individuals seeking rapid muscle gain and enhanced physical performance. Unauthorized use of these substances carries significant health risks, including liver and kidney damage, cardiovascular issues, high blood pressure, depression, and aggressive behaviour.