At the end of November, police in Barcelona detained a well-known endocrinologist who was active on social media and had tens of thousands of followers. According to investigators, the doctor was at the head of a widespread network involved in distributing banned drugs and doping substances both in Spain and abroad. The court ordered the blocking of his Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook accounts, as well as the closure of his personal website.
At the same time, the Barcelona Medical Association launched its own investigation to gather information and consider possible measures. Police found that the detained doctor had previously been involved in bodybuilding and used his professional status to sell drugs, many of which had no medical justification. In some cases, the drugs were counterfeit.
Modus operandi
According to investigators, the doctor attracted clients through social media, then provided consultations both in person and online. The main focus was on hormone therapies for men that did not meet medical standards. During searches, police discovered thousands of vials of growth hormone, tens of thousands of tablets, and hundreds of capsules with effects similar to Viagra. The drugs were shipped to Spain disguised as cosmetics or medical supplies, mostly from Baltic countries.
The price of a single package could reach up to 250 euros. Funds were transferred to various accounts, some of which were located abroad, as well as through shell companies. These funds were used to purchase luxury cars and real estate. During the operation, authorities seized cash, bank accounts, and cryptocurrency totaling over 700,000 euros.
Financial fraud
Investigators uncovered a complex money laundering scheme in which legal and illegal proceeds were mixed. Among the confiscated assets were Magic collectible cards valued at 200,000 euros, which, according to police, could have been used to cover up the origins of the funds. In total, assets worth 1.5 million euros have been frozen.
Nine people were detained over the course of the investigation. Seven are suspected of direct involvement in the illegal trade of pharmaceuticals, while the other two are accused of handling money laundering operations. One member directed clients to a closed chat for order placement, while others handled the packaging and shipping of goods.
Health risks
Wiretaps revealed that some buyers complained of serious side effects, which the doctor was aware of. According to experts, uncontrolled use of hormonal and stimulant drugs can lead to thrombosis, stroke, cardiovascular diseases, infertility, and irreversible health consequences.
The operation involved not only Spanish law enforcement but also representatives from the Estonian police, who participated as observers. Large amounts of cash, bank assets, and cryptocurrency were seized during the searches.
In case you were unaware, the detained doctor was well known within the Spanish fitness community and actively promoted his services on social media, where his following exceeded 300,000 people. His activities sparked mixed reactions among colleagues and followers, and the medical board of Barcelona has already launched its own investigation. Previously, he was involved in bodybuilding and frequently offered advice on hormone therapy. Now, his name is linked to one of the biggest scandals in Spain involving the illegal trade of pharmaceuticals in recent years.
