Massive sports doping racket bust in Dénia, and Gandia

THREE million doses of anabolic steroids have been seized in a massive anti-doping operation across Spain with arrests in Dénia and Gandia.

Well-known Costa del Sol body-builder Paco Mula, who runs two gyms in Málaga is among the 14 taken into custody, along with a female employee, and police raids have been carried out on 26 home and business premises nationwide.

The other 12, caught mostly in the Costa del Sol towns of Fuengirola and Torremolinos, and in the centre-northern province of Valladolid (Castilla y León) have been released with charges.

Some of them were traced to undisclosed Marina Alta towns, and Dénia court is handling the case.

As the case remains sub judice for the moment, the exact nature of the performance-enhancing drug racket and which sports personalities are involved has not been revealed.

Competitors who have won titles or medals after taking the substances are likely to lose their prizes and could face problems getting sponsors in the future.