The raids by Germany's Federal Crime Office (BKA) were part of an international investigation into illegal trade in steroids, codenamed "Raw Deal" and run by US authorities, BKA authorities said on Monday, Sept. 24.

Law enforcement authorities in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Sweden, Poland, Spain, Israel and Australia had found underground laboratories for steroids and other banned substances as well as pirated copies of drugs, according to a statement by the BKA.

"The suspects in Germany are accused of selling illegal substances and medication across the country, some of them using traditional business models," the statement said.

Brisk business

Police uncovered five illegal laboratories in Germany that produced anabolic steroids, a substance that helps build up muscle tissue and is popular with bodybuilders, but which can damage the heart and liver and lead to higher levels of aggression and depression.

About 50 liters (13.2 gallons) of basic materials for the preparation of steroids as well as 10,000 tablets and capsules were confiscated. In one location, 30,000 euros ($42,231) in cash was discovered. The money is suspected of being proceeds from the sale of the performance-enhancing drugs. It is thought the substances were sold either directly to customers or over the Internet.

"The action reveals the wide-spread distribution of anabolic steroids and other doping substances in Germany," said the BKA.

The "Raw Deal" program aims to combat trafficking in Chinese-produced chemicals that are used in making anabolic steroids. Investigators have found links to trade and production sites in China were hormonal building blocks used in steroids are made.