Five men suspected of international smuggling of illicit substances
Four men have been taken into custody and a fifth placed under criminal supervision; they allegedly conducted a business worth over one billion forints annually in prohibited performance-enhancing drugs and counterfeit medicines.
Five men suspected of international smuggling of illicit substances
The investigating judge of the Budakörnyék District Court has ordered the pre-trial detention of four people, and a further person has been placed under criminal supervision. According to suspicions, the five-member gang traded in prohibited performance-enhancing drugs and medicines sold without authorisation, with annual revenues exceeding one billion forints.
The investigation is being conducted by the Drug Enforcement Department of the National Investigation Office of the Police Service within the framework of organised crime, for drug counterfeiting and related offences. The accused have been working together since 2020 within an international criminal network that facilitated the illegal sale of medicines and potency enhancers abroad.
The group regularly transported goods from Hungary to Slovakia several times a week; from there they sent the products by post to various European countries. The substances were advertised on public websites, and payment was arranged in cryptocurrency or by transfer to foreign accounts.
According to the prosecution, one suspect – an acknowledged Hungarian bodybuilder – handed over two boxes of prohibited preparations to a customer on 4 April, who was later stopped by police and found to be in possession of the substance. This man allegedly also sold prohibited substances to several domestic customers.
According to the court's reasoning, there is a risk of flight for two of the accused due to their foreign connections, and it is also likely that they would destroy evidence or influence witnesses. An appeal has been filed against the detention, so it is not yet final, but it is enforceable. The fifth defendant partially admitted to the offence, whilst his associates denied the criminal act.
Source: Tudás.hu
Source: Google News HU — Crime (hu)