Pune: A 41-year-old gym owner was arrested by Bharati Vidyapeeth police on the charge of supplying body-building steroids to gym goers.
Youths pumping irons to make a career in bodybuilding are risking their lives by using a drug in the name of enhancing their performance. This drug, Mephentermine Sulphate, cannot be taken without a doctor’s prescription. However, a gym professional has been accused of illegally selling them to unsuspecting young enthusiasts who sweat out to build a sturdy muscular physique.
The Bharati Vidyapeeth police took action against this person and seized 13 Mephentermine Sulphate injection vials, informed senior inspector Srihari Patil.
According to the police, on June 30, a patrolling team apprehended Azad Mumtaz Khan (41), a resident of Ambegaon Budruk.
Police officials Mitesh Chormole, Abhinay Chaudhary, and Avadhut Jamdade received information about Khan from an informer. They were tipped off that Khan had arrived near the iron bridge at Dhankawadi on Satara Road and was smuggling ‘bodybuilding injections’. Accordingly, the team in plainclothes laid a trap at the location and he was detained.
A preliminary inquiry revealed that Khan was a gym professional and involved in the illegal smuggling of Mephentermine Sulphate. Police registered a case against him under Sections 336 and 276 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). They suspect that there is a large racket of illegal bodybuilding drug smuggling in the city.
Smartana Patil, deputy commissioner of police (Circle 2), expressed concern that injections meant for patients were being illicitly sold to bodybuilders, posing significant risks to athletes. “Upon receiving information about the accused, the police team was promptly dispatched and instructed to take action accordingly,” she said.
The operation was conducted under the leadership of DCP Patil, assistant commissioner of police Nandini Vagyani, senior police inspector DS Patil, police inspector (Crime) Sharad Jhine, assistant police inspector Sameer Kadam, and sub-inspector Dhiraj Gupta.
Among the injectable drugs readily available for gym goers are ketamine and methamphetamine, known for their analgesic properties and stimulant effects on heart rate.
Mephentermine is primarily used as a medication for treating certain heart conditions. It is known to increase heart rate, and it can also increase blood pressure if it is low. Additionally, it may be prescribed to patients who have difficulty sleeping.
Mephentermine is often misused and marketed by gym professionals as a performance enhancing drug for bodybuilders. However, doctors strongly caution against its use for bodybuilding purposes, emphasising that it is not intended or safe for such uses.
Dr. Nitin Dalaya, director of Nityanand Rehabilitation and De-addiction Centre, revealed, “We are seeing a 100 percent rise in drug addiction cases and most of them are youngsters, especially the so-called influencers. The surge in cases, particularly among these teenagers is worrisome and points to a dangerous, life-threatening trend where it is also giving rise to many organ failure cases as well as young cardiac arrests.”
Black market rates
In the black market, a 10 ml vial of Mephentermine, which normally costs Rs. 220, is sold for prices ranging from Rs. 500 to Rs. 5,000. Despite the legal requirement of a doctor’s prescription, young bodybuilding enthusiasts are purchasing these drugs at inflated rates. This illegal trade is reportedly conducted by medical shops, distributors, protein sellers, gym instructors, and trainers, highlighting a concerning trend of unauthorised and unsafe distribution.
The demand for Mephentermine is driven primarily by youngsters aspiring for a more attractive physique. Administration of this injection provides a significant boost of stimulation to the body, enhancing muscle strength through increased oxygen demand. Many individuals seeking rapid muscle growth turn to stimulant drugs, often distributed alongside protein powders by gym professionals.
The use of Mephentermine and similar stimulant drugs carries serious risks:
- Psychological effects: Users may experience feelings of fear, nervousness, and irritability.
- Cardiovascular risks: There is a heightened risk of heart disease and, in severe cases, heart failure.
- Psychological dependence: The drug can induce temporary feelings of euphoria and may become habit-forming.
- Behavioral changes: Users might exhibit increased aggression, reckless behaviour such as speeding
