(haipo) Following an undercover investigation that lasted over a year, four suspects were arrested for the production, distribution, sale and export of illegal anabolic steroids. The suspects allegedly acted by making false statements about the shipment of cosmetics, while the packages actually contained significant amounts of steroids and drugs. The investigation was conducted jointly by the Tax Authority and the Ministry of Health.
A large-scale joint investigation uncovered an illegal production and export network
The investigation was conducted at the Tax Authority by multiple enforcement units, including the Central Customs House, Haifa Customs and VAT Investigations, the National Unit for Investigations and Combating Crime, Yahalom, the Tax Authority's Intelligence Unit and the Canine Unit of the Narcotics Headquarters at the Customs Administration, in cooperation with the Enforcement and Supervision Division at the Ministry of Health. According to the suspicion, the suspects operated for about two years, between 2023 and 2025, and sent packages from Israel to the United States from various post offices across the country, while declaring that they were various cosmetic products. Some of the packages were registered for fictitious customers and sent to fictitious addresses, and after not being claimed by the recipients, they were returned to Israel and anabolic steroids and medications were found inside.
Purchasing raw materials and manufacturing steroids in hiding places
The investigation shows that the suspects purchased in Israel and abroad, under their own names and other names, bottles, corks, chemicals, stickers and other accessories, which they transferred to hiding places for the purpose of producing anabolic steroids. According to suspicion, the suspects also sold the products illegally to fitness clubs and bodybuilding enthusiasts in Israel. Anabolic steroids are defined as prohibited and dangerous substances, which are mainly common among athletes and gymnasts, and their use may cause serious side effects, including damage to the cardiovascular system, neurological damage, kidney failure, damage to fertility, hormonal problems, depression, aggression and increased blood pressure.
Suspicion of the disappearance of millions of shekels in revenue
In addition to the production and export offenses, it is suspected that the suspects did not report their income at all in the years 2023-2025 to the tax authorities. The income is estimated at millions of shekels, with the proceeds being transferred in part via digital currencies. An open investigation was opened this week, during which searches were conducted and various documents were seized, and the four suspects were arrested on suspicion of manufacturing, distributing, selling and exporting anabolic substances that are prohibited from export, as well as failing to report their income. The suspects' detention was extended in the Rishon LeZion Magistrate's Court until Thursday. This is a complex and wide-ranging investigation that included extensive intelligence work to expose the leaders of the network and locate the various couriers.
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