Pharmacist sold steroids to crims: police
Police have charged a man for allegedly selling steroids and prescription medicine from an unlicensed pharmacy in Melbourne’s north west.
Clients of the alleged undercover pharmacy, which police say was operating out of an address in Essendon, included people with links to organised crime, police said.
Footage released on Tuesday by police shows a man in jeans and a brown jacket being led out of a building in handcuffs by two police officers.
Police, who said the Victorian Pharmacy Authority and the Department of Health were consulted in the investigation, said imitation firearms, anabolic steroids and prescription medication were seized from the address when they executed a search warrant on November 10.
A 40-year-old Essendon man was arrested on that date but released.
On April 5, police said they returned to the address and seized “significant quantities” of prescription medicine, including steroids.
Police have since charged the man with forgery, obtain drugs by false representation, unauthorised retailing of poisons or controlled substances, among other offences. He was bailed to appear at the Broadmeadows Magistrates’ Court in October.
Detective Inspector Patrick Watkinson, from the North West Metro Regional Crime Squad, said police will continue to investigate “all facets” of organised crime.
“Victoria Police is absolutely committed to disrupting all aspects of organised crime, and in this case the alleged trafficking of performance enhancing drugs to those running in these circles,” Detective Watkinson said.
“We will continue to investigate all facets of organised crime, and work with our partners to ensure those involved in organised criminal behaviour are held to account,” he said.
