US announces raids on steroid trade linked to China

More than 90 people have been arrested in America in raids targeting trade in anabolic steroids and other performance enhancing drugs made in and shipped from China, the US said Tuesday.

The DEA's Operation Cyber Juice involved more than 30 investigations in 20 US states and resulted in the seizure of 16 underground steroid labs.

Also confiscated were 636 kilos (1,400 pounds) of raw steroid powder, 8,200 liters (2,200 gallons) of raw steroid injectable liquid and more than $2 million in currency and other assets, the Justice Department said.

Underground labs are often found to have finished steroid product, raw steroid powder, oils needed for steroid conversion to a finished product, conversion kits and other lab equipment, it added.

"These products are commonly obtained via the Internet from Chinese chemical manufacturing companies and underground labs," the department said in a statement.

DEA acting administrator Chuck Rosenberg said, "too many young people are ruining their lives and damaging their bodies from steroid use."

He added: "Through Operation Cyber Juice, DEA is attacking the global underground steroid market, exposing its dangers and lies."

Over the course of the operation the DEA worked with US and global anti-doping authorities.

A previous DEA probe in 2007 targeted raw material manufacturers and suppliers in China and other countries, among other things, the statement said.

© 2015 AFP