Portuguese judicial police have arrested four men in the Lisbon metropolitan area as part of a criminal investigation into the illegal trafficking and use of banned substances in sport. The operation, codenamed Operation Harry Potter, targeted an alleged network involved in the sale and administration of prohibited doping substances, primarily anabolic steroids. According to authorities, the suspects were detained while the investigation was ongoing and are strongly suspected of multiple offences, including trafficking of prohibited substances and methods, possession of an illegal weapon, and money laundering. One of the four detainees is a foreign national. The arrests follow months of investigative work focused on the illegal supply chain supporting competitive bodybuilding and fitness activities.
Investigators say the group allegedly operated through several establishments linked to the suspects, including a physiotherapy clinic, a solarium, a gym, and other locations used to facilitate distribution. The substances were reportedly sold to amateur and competitive athletes, including individuals who have achieved results at national and international level. During the operation, police executed eight search warrants across residential and non residential premises. Authorities seized more than one hundred ampoules containing banned substances, along with a firearm, cash, and a range of digital and physical evidence described as essential to the case. Officials stated that the material collected supports suspicions of an organised and sustained operation rather than isolated incidents.
The four suspects were brought before a judge for an initial hearing and were released under legal obligations requiring them to remain available to judicial authorities. They were also ordered not to contact each other or individuals connected to bodybuilding and fitness sports. The case is being overseen the Lisbon Public Prosecutor’s Office, which will continue to assess evidence gathered during the searches. Portuguese police are known for assigning distinctive names to large scale investigations, and while the title of this operation has drawn public attention, authorities stressed that the focus remains on dismantling illegal networks that undermine fair competition and pose risks to public health.
Portuguese judicial police have arrested four men in the Lisbon metropolitan area as part of a criminal investigation into the illegal trafficking and use of banned substances in sport. The operation, codenamed Operation Harry Potter, targeted an alleged network involved in the sale and administration of prohibited doping substances, primarily anabolic steroids. According to authorities, the suspects were detained while the investigation was ongoing and are strongly suspected of multiple offences, including trafficking of prohibited substances and methods, possession of an illegal weapon, and money laundering. One of the four detainees is a foreign national. The arrests follow months of investigative work focused on the illegal supply chain supporting competitive bodybuilding and fitness activities.
Investigators say the group allegedly operated through several establishments linked to the suspects, including a physiotherapy clinic, a solarium, a gym, and other locations used to facilitate distribution. The substances were reportedly sold to amateur and competitive athletes, including individuals who have achieved results at national and international level. During the operation, police executed eight search warrants across residential and non residential premises. Authorities seized more than one hundred ampoules containing banned substances, along with a firearm, cash, and a range of digital and physical evidence described as essential to the case. Officials stated that the material collected supports suspicions of an organised and sustained operation rather than isolated incidents.
The four suspects were brought before a judge for an initial hearing and were released under legal obligations requiring them to remain available to judicial authorities. They were also ordered not to contact each other or individuals connected to bodybuilding and fitness sports. The case is being overseen the Lisbon Public Prosecutor’s Office, which will continue to assess evidence gathered during the searches. Portuguese police are known for assigning distinctive names to large scale investigations, and while the title of this operation has drawn public attention, authorities stressed that the focus remains on dismantling illegal networks that undermine fair competition and pose risks to public health.
