Essendon pharmacist charged with trafficking steroids, testosterone

An Essendon pharmacist has been led out of his clinic in handcuffs on charges of selling steroids and testosterone to bikies.

A Melbourne pharmacist has been charged with selling steroids and other prescription drugs to criminals, including outlaw bikies.

Police allege the man, who is a registered pharmacist operating a business without a licence in Essendon, has been fraudulently obtaining medications, including steroids, and trafficking them to criminals.

Investigators from North West Metro Regional Crime Squad began investigating the sale of the performance enhancing drugs last year, engaging the Victorian Pharmacy Authority and the Department of Health as they launched the probe.

Detectives then executed the first of two search warrants, raiding the Essendon business on November 10 last year.

The 40-year-old man was arrested at his Essendon clinic. Picture: VicPol

Significant quantities of anabolic steroids and other prescription drugs were seized along with imitation firearms.

As part of the raid, the 40-year-old pharmacist was interviewed and released pending further investigations.

The second search warrant, on April 5, led to investigators again seizing steroids and other prescription drugs.

Det Inspector Patrick Watkinson said the force was committed to disrupting organised crime in all its facets.

“Victoria Police is absolutely committed to disrupting all aspects of organised crime and in this case the alleged trafficking of performance enhancing drugs to those running in these circles,” he said.

“We will continue to investigate all facets of organised crime and work with our partners to ensure those involved in organised criminal behaviour are held to account.”

The pharmacist has been charged with a string of offences including multiple counts of forgery, obtaining drugs by false representation, possessing prescription medication and unauthorised retailing of poisons or controlled substances, trafficking a drug of dependence, trafficking anabolic steroids and trafficking testosterone.

He has been bailed to appear at the Broadmeadows Magistrates’ Court on October 19.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via crimestoppersvic.com.au.