Authorities in South Africa are sending a strong message to syndicates who are manufacturing and distributing anabolic steroids in the country. These illegal drug organizations will be monitored and investigated by government agencies to stop them from harming more consumers especially the young teens. One organization that is in the forefront of this campaign is the South African Institute for Drug Free Sport. Just recently, the institute announced its plan to implement an Anti-Doping Intelligence System.

This program will focus on the illegal activities of syndicates who manufactures and distribute anabolic steroids and other performance enhancing drugs. Information gathered by the institute from the arrests of these criminals showed they are venturing into this business because profit is huge. “Anecdotal evidence and drug arrests point to substantial involvement of criminal syndicates who are manufacturing illegal steroids in laboratories and trafficking steroids and using the sale of steroids and other illicit medicines as a means to launder ill-gotten gains,” chief executive Khalid Galant told the Afriquejet site.

Trafficking Steroids Lucrative Business

South African authorities are not alone in this problem. Other countries are also targeting organized syndicates because they are now diversifying their interests in the illegal steroid trade. It is a fact that manufacturing and distributing steroids using illegal means is a profitable venture. Aside from unpaid taxes and licenses, most of these manufacturers don’t have established laboratories that follow quality standards.

Another reason why syndicates turn to steroids is the existing policies of most countries on the illegal trade of these drugs. “The return on investment is high and risks are considered substantially lower to the syndicates when manufacturing and trafficking steroids, as opposed to smuggling drugs such as cocaine, heroin or manufacturing methamphetamine,’ said Galant.

South Africa Vulnerable Steroid Destination

The chief executive of the Institute for Drug Free Sport was also alarmed on the proliferation of these syndicates in the country. South Africa has several ports which can be used as an entry point for these steroids. If they can’t effectively monitor these activities, SA can become the primary source of steroids in Africa and other parts of the world.

The concern of SA sports authorities on this issue is also echoed in the recently concluded anti-doping conference at Twickenham, UK. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) revealed that criminal syndicates around the world are now controlling a significant portion of world sports and this includes providing professional athletes with performance enhancing drugs.

Latest Survey: Teen Steroid Use Rising

Meanwhile, a recent survey by SA Sports Medicine Association revealed that 1 in 6 high school rugby players are taking steroids. Dr John Patricious, president of the association, was worried about the findings. He said that steroid use in high school level is becoming a dangerous trend and considers the rate as enormous.

The doctor warned youngsters about the dangers of steroids. “It is harmful to the boys’ health and they often do not see the signs because many of the side effects are silent and will only manifest later,” he said. He also explained that steroids are schedule 5 drugs and should only be taken when there is a prescription.

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