2 fly in 1,200 vials of steroids, held

NEW DELHI: In 2013, a first-year medical student from Jaipur, who had come to attend AIIMS’ annual festival, died of drug overdose. Later, investigations revealed that he was on steroid injections.
Three years after this incident, customs personnel have seized 1,200 vials of the similar substance from two passengers at the IGI Airport. Narcotics experts say these drugs, used to enhance physical endurance, are popular in the party circuits.
The passenger duo was intercepted by the customs sleuths as soon as they arrived from Almaty in Kazakhstan by flight number KC 907 early Thursday.
Officers said the passengers were identified on the basis of a prior input and they were asked to cooperate for a thorough personal and baggage search. “During their baggage check, 1,200 vials of body supplements were found. The chemical composition of these vials could not be ascertained since the information printed on them was in Latvian. The baggage was seized and the two passengers were detained for questioning. Samples have been sent for further investigation,” said a senior customs officer.
The two passengers are being questioned to find out their links. The possibility of a bigger nexus cannot be ruled out, the officers said.
Experts, however, are of the view that these performance enhancement steroids, medically known as anabolic-androgenic steroid, are also used as sex booster. They claim that apart from being used by sportspersons to improve their performance, this drug is sometimes used to cure sexual dysfunctions. However, its long-term use may prove dangerous. It cannot be sold without prescription, say experts.
Dr K K Aggarwal, general secretary of the Indian Medical Association, said that anabolic steroids are used to treat cancer patients. These are also given to old-age people as energy booster. However, he warned that these steroids can cause severe side-effects in the long run, if misused.
“They are used in treating severe burns, acute and chronic wounds and to cure sexual dysfunctions. But over-use can cause severe side effects in the long run like virilisation in women, heart enlargement, liver tumours or it can even lead to prostate cancer,” Aggarwal added.