“Testosterone replacement therapy is trendy, but the problem is not that it is trendy, but that There are people who want to do unethical business, including doctors.“. This is how the endocrinologist and ex-bodybuilder manifested himself Alexandre CostaIn … a video that he shared on his Instagram profile, with thousands of followers, to attract clients for his consultation, in Barcelona. Although the famous fitness “influencer” also offered his services electronically. In this same publication, he warned against “risk of falling into the wrong hands“. And precisely, he ended up being arrested during an operation by the Mossos d’Esquadra against the illegal trafficking of medicines throughout Spain. Not only testosterone, but also growth hormone and viagra. The latter to mitigate the effects of the first two drugs. Costa ran this network, according to the researchers, without carrying out any control over patients and supplying substances manufactured in so-called “under” laboratories; distribution platforms that counterfeit legal tender medicines. He later laundered the profits obtained through a company based abroad of which he was the sole owner, amassing assets of 1.5 million euros.
The investigations of Central Consumption Unit led to the discovery of his professional misconduct, after a complaint from a person concerned. Costa acted as the “visible face” of the drug and performance-enhancing network. Through his social networks, the former famous bodybuilder – who became champion of Spain in the large category in 2019 – has dedicated himself to attracting potential clients in the province of Barcelona, but he has also provided online consultations, which has allowed his activity to expand throughout the country. After this first advice, he suggests they buy drugs on the black market. So, he directed his patients to a WhatsApp number, where a transfer of 200 euros to a Lithuanian bank account. Precisely, the origin of the drug was the Baltic countries. Estonia too. Later, other members of the network sent them in packages, hidden among legal tender products, such as chamomile oil, so as not to arouse suspicion.
The Mossos calculate that the endocrinologist, trained as a resident at the Sant Pau hospital – which he boasted about on his website – would have carried out this illegal activity at least since 2020, even if the Laundering Unit could only prove that the network deployed to launder the money had been operating since last year. “He used an opaque financial structure, aimed at facilitating tax evasion“, say research sources. Then, in an attempt to introduce his profits into the legal circuit, he bought high-end cars and even spent, presumably in cash, 200,000 euros worth of role cardswhich he then planned to resell. He also turned to cryptocurrency platforms.
While increasing his assets, the doctor ignored the high risks for his patients, giving them drugs without any supervision.
Thus, while his wealth increased, the doctor ignored the high risks for their patientsby providing them with drugs without any control. “Testosterone, for example, is marketed to treat pathologies in people with problems with the gonads: tumors or genetic problems. Tests are carried out before and during their administration, analyzes are carried out”, said yesterday Dr. Núria Vilarrasa, head of the endocrinology department at Bellvitge Hospital, who warned that “taking these substances without adequate supervision can lead to a risk of thrombosis, stroke and cardiovascular diseases”. In addition, this causes the body to stop producing the hormone, leading to problems of sterility and impotence “associated with its continued consumption.”
The ‘fitness’ influencer ran the drug trafficking network, as the ‘visible face’, attracting clients via Instagram
Likewise, with the growth hormonethe organization’s flagship product when used in the world of bodybuilding to increase muscle mass. “It must be a very controlled treatment, otherwise its administration can lead to muscle hypertrophy – such as the heart – as well as type 2 diabetes. “Very serious and often irreversible health problems”, indicated the expert. At the moment, the Catalan police do not yet have a definitive number of people affected, but they estimate that it will be “very high”.
Regarding public profiles of fitness influenceralthough a court order was already issued to shut them down, as of today their Instagram and website are still operational. The same goes for his medical license, which will be resolved as the procedure progresses, still in the investigation phase. Seven of the nine detainees in the Mossos operation were placed at the disposal of the Instruction Court 9 of Vilanova i la Geltrú (Barcelona), and were released, accused of crimes against public health, money laundering, falsification of public documents and membership in a criminal organization. During the exploitation of the file with a dozen entries and searches, on November 26, the Catalan police seized 250,000 euros in cash, around 40,000 tablets, as well as 2,500 vials of growth hormone and 500 Viagra tablets.
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