4 held in Hyderabad for illegally selling injections for bodybuilding
Hyderabad: The city police arrested four persons for illegally procuring and selling mephentermine sulphate steroid injection used for bodybuilding. The quartet were bringing the injection from Delhi through a courier without any valid perception and selling the same to needy customers.
The arrested have been identified as Rashid Khan alias Rash, 38, a gym trainer, and resident Natrajnagar in Jhirra, Mohd Aftab Hussain, 23, a therapist and resident of Tappachabutra, Mohd Habeebuddin alias Junaid, 22, a student and resident of Murad Nagar in Mehdipatnam and Mohd Rahmath, 19, a technician and resident of Mangalhat Outpost.
Task Force Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police, Ande Srinivasa Rao, said the gym trainer Rashid Khan was the main supplier. Rashid Khan hailing from Maharashtra relocated to Hyderabad with his family to earn a living.
He worked as a gym trainer and personal trainer. Additionally, he was addicted to steroid injections and engaged in their illegal sale. In 2022, Rashid Khan was arrested by Chandrangutta police for selling mephentermine sulphate injection IP 30mg. Recently, he set up his own gym - RK gym in Mehdipatnam.
However, due to financial losses, he closed it within a few months. Rashid Khan was aware of the high demand for the injection in the market. He then hatched a plan to sell it at inflated rates.
To execute his plan, he would order the injection online and receive it via courier. Rashid Khan would then distribute the injection to his friend, Aftab Hussain, to sell, offering him a good commission on profits.
Aftab Hussain along with his associates Mohd Habeeb Uddin alias Junaid and Mohd Rahmath, would sell injection at gyms, colleges, and local areas to needy customers at exorbitant rates. Injection is in high demand in the market, particularly among youth seeking to rapidly increase muscle growth and treat low blood pressure.
However, the desire for instant results has led many young individuals to become addicted to these steroids, which can cause numerous health problems and diseases. The accused have been selling injections to clients at inflated rates without possessing a valid license or doctor's prescription from the relevant authorities, thereby earning money through illicit means, Rao said.
The police seized 217 injections, a bike and two mobile phones, all worth over Rs.3.15 lakh.