Vadodara: In a significant crackdown on the illegal sale of performance-enhancing drugs, the Vadodara Crime Branch raided a nutrition and bodybuilding supplements shop in the Manjalpur area, seizing over 100 strips of anabolic steroid tablets and 90 vials of testosterone hormone injections imported from Russia and Austria. The confiscated items, valued at approximately ₹2.83 lakh, were being sold without prescriptions, bills, or any legal authorization, posing serious health risks to unsuspecting youth chasing quick muscle gains.
The raid targeted the ‘Siddhi Nutrition’ shop located at TulsiDham Char Rasta, near Devpushp Complex, in Manjalpur. Acting on a tip-off and intelligence gathered through technical surveillance and human sources, a team from the Crime Branch, led by Police Inspector R.G. Jadeja and PSI B.S. Vala, conducted the operation under the supervision of Vadodara City Police Commissioner Narsimha Komar and Additional Commissioner Dr. Leena Patil.
The sole accused arrested in the case is Amishkumar Ashokkumar Kori (35), a resident of Jayramnagar, Airforce Road, Makarpura, Vadodara. Kori, who has been operating the shop for the past 10 years, was selling legitimate supplements alongside these banned substances. When questioned, he failed to produce any purchase bills, import documents, licenses, or prescriptions, confirming the illegal nature of the trade.
Investigations revealed that the steroids and injections were sourced from international suppliers in Russia and Austria. Kori contacted a dealer in Amritsar via Facebook, placed orders through WhatsApp, and received deliveries by courier. Demand surged especially around bodybuilding competitions, with the accused marking up prices significantly (ranging from ₹500 to ₹5,000 per item) for profit. The drugs were cleverly hidden among regular nutrition products and promoted misleadingly on social media as safe shortcuts for rapid muscle development and physique enhancement.
Health experts have issued strong warnings about the dangers of unsupervised steroid use. Dr. Mitesh Shah, Vice President of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) Vadodara branch, highlighted severe long-term risks, including heart diseases, elevated cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, liver damage, skin and hair issues, weakened immunity, delayed injury recovery, and potential life-threatening complications. He stressed that anabolic steroids and testosterone injections are prescription-only drugs and should never be used without medical supervision, as they can cause irreversible harm and even lead to body deterioration after discontinuation.
Police officials emphasized their commitment to monitoring and curbing the distribution of such harmful substances, particularly to protect young people influenced by unrealistic body ideals. The seized items included various foreign-branded steroid tablets, boxed testosterone injections, small bottles, and packaging materials. No specific mention of “vape” in connection with steroids was detailed beyond promotional misnomers, but the focus remained on the injectable and oral anabolic agents.
An FIR has been registered under relevant sections of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act and other provisions for unauthorized sale and possession of scheduled drugs. Further investigations are underway to trace the supply chain, identify any upstream importers or accomplices, and prevent similar rackets in the city.
This incident underscores growing concerns over the black-market trade of anabolic steroids in India, often fueled by social media hype around bodybuilding and fitness culture, at the expense of public health.
