The Spanish National Police have announced the bust of ““the largest international organization operating in Spain” responsible for trafficking anabolic steroids, growth hormone and doping substances in Europe in an investigation codenamed Operación Dama (or Operation Lady in English). The codename alludes to the famous pre-Roman Iberian sculpture named the Lady of Elche.

The international doping ring was reportedly led by British expatriates residing in the Spanish beach communities of Denia and Marbella. The arrests of the British expats preceded several additional arrests around the country including the manager of a masters cycling team as well as six individuals in Elche, Spain. Search warrants in Elche ultimately led to a secret laboratory in the attic of a house. [Read more…]