Police and health authorities have dismantled an illegal anabolic steroid manufacturing and distribution network in Bangkok, seizing finished products, production equipment and raw materials worth more than 50 million baht. The operation targeted an unlicensed factory that had allegedly been supplying bodybuilders and fitness users in Thailand and overseas for around three years. Get today's headlines by email The raid was announced on June 30 at the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), where Ms Supamas Isarabhakdi, Minister Attached to the Prime Minister’s Office, Public Health Minister Mr Pattana Promphat, adviser to the Public Health Minister Mr Narin Kallayanamit, senior Royal Thai Police officers and officials from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) outlined the results of the investigation. Pol Col Weerapong Klaithong said the Consumer Protection Police Division began investigating after receiving information from the Thai FDA about the spread of unregistered anabolic steroids. The synthetic drugs, which mimic the male sex hormone, are commonly misused by fitness enthusiasts and bodybuilders to accelerate muscle growth despite posing serious health risks, including liver inflammation, kidney failure, high blood pressure, enlarged heart muscle and sudden heart failure. Investigators traced the operation to production and packaging facilities in Bangkok before obtaining search warrants from Phra Khanong Criminal Court. Officers searched two locations at a luxury condominium in Soi Phatthanakan 51, Suan Luang district, arresting 39-year-old Anuwat. Police seized more than 8,690 vials of injectable and oral anabolic steroids covering 41 brands, including ANADROL, ANAVAR, ARIMIDEX, BOLDENONE, CLENBUTEROL, DIANABOL and DECA. Officers also found more than 77,700 anti-oestrogen and oral steroid tablets across 14 brands, over 155,000 tablets awaiting packaging, together with chemicals, packaging materials and manufacturing machinery, bringing the estimated value of the seized items to more than 50 million baht. Pictures courtesy of Thaitabloid The suspect has been charged under the Drug Act BE 2510 with manufacturing modern medicines without a licence and producing and selling unregistered medicines. Police said the investigation would continue to identify other members of the network and any financiers behind the operation. Authorities said the group imported raw materials, ingredients and packaging from multiple sources before producing, packaging and labelling medicines without FDA approval in facilities that failed to meet manufacturing or hygiene standards. Investigators also found the network had previously faced prosecution for similar offences but had allegedly resumed the illegal business. Thaitabloid reported that Ms Supamas said illegal health products and unregistered anabolic steroids remain a major public health concern, while Mr Pattana pledged continued cooperation between the Ministry of Public Health, the FDA and police to suppress illegal production, imports and sales. FDA Secretary-General Supattra Boonserm warned that the injectable drugs had not undergone sterilisation, creating a risk of life-threatening bloodstream infections, and urged the public to use anabolic steroids only under medical supervision and verify product registration through the Mor Prom application or official FDA channels. Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now Thaitabloid 1 July 2026
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