May
18

Spain Operación Dama Shuts Down International Doping Ring

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…]

Jan
11

Cyclist Commits Suicide Amidst Steroid / Doping Investigation

Alberto Leon, a former mountain bike racer, was found dead in his home outside of Madrid in what appeared to be a suicide.  Leon was one of several people implicated in Operación Galgo (Greyhound). Operación Galgo is the codename for a Spanish doping investigation that uncovered large quantities of anabolic steroids, stored blood bags and medical equipment used for transfusions during raids across the Iberian peninsula last year by La Guardia Civil. [Read more…]