The heart of pharma: where dangerous medicines are imported to Russia from

The Republic of Kazakhstan is becoming the main gateway for the import of potent substances into Russia that are prohibited for free circulation, in particular, anabolic steroids. Law enforcement agencies are increasingly seizing large shipments of drugs imported into the country under the guise of legal cargo at the border. Details can be found in the Izvestia article.

There is such a party

In May, it became known about the arrest of a car with a cache containing sibutramine (the active ingredient of prescription drugs for the treatment of obesity; included in the list of potent and toxic substances approved by the government) with a total weight of almost 66 kg. In addition, the truck was carrying about 300 kg of precursors used in the manufacture of narcotic drugs.

This is not the first time that prescription drugs and illegal substances have been smuggled from a neighboring country recently. Another fact was recorded in the Vladimir region. A drug containing a synthetic analog of growth hormone was found in an international package of SDEC sent from Kazakhstan to Russia.

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The seized drug is used strictly according to a doctor's prescription for congenital or acquired growth hormone deficiency. Its uncontrolled consumption without a doctor's prescription can lead to the appearance of malignancies, disorders of the nervous system, diabetes and other ailments.

The Chinese formula

According to a source in Izvestia who is aware of the illegal trafficking of potent substances, over the past 20 years, the bulk of illegal pills have been imported into Russia by car in hiding places — in this case, the cargo is packed in ordinary boxes. Liquid steroids and precursors for their manufacture are usually transported in cans of technical oils, additives, and chemicals.

Prohibited substances are also often disguised as sports nutrition and supposedly safe weight correction products, such as natural herbal tea preparations or dietary supplements with a "pure composition" that are sold on marketplaces. So, in April, sibutramine was found in the popular weight loss drug "Molecule".

According to Russian legislation, anabolic steroids are recognized as potent substances, and criminal liability is established for their trafficking under Article 234 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation ("Illegal trafficking of potent or poisonous substances for the purpose of sale").

It's cheaper there

Traffickers of illicit substances purchase sibutramine and a synthetic analog of growth hormone in Kazakhstan at a significantly lower price. The high marginality of illegal trade makes this business incredibly attractive to various criminal elements.

Currently, medicines containing sibutramine as an active substance are prohibited in Kazakhstan. Despite this, such drugs continue to be sold, often in the form of dietary supplements. The cost of funds containing sibutramine (a standard package of 20 mg tablets is taken into account) varies from 5 to 10 thousand rubles per package, depending on the manufacturer.

At the same time, most medicines registered in Russia containing sibutramine have a dosage of this active substance from 10 to 15 mg in one capsule. Prescription drugs in Russian pharmacies in appropriate dosages cost from 5 to 12 thousand rubles.

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Illegal delivery schemes rely on the use of forged accompanying documents and concealment of the real origin of the goods. In addition, counterfeit goods are often disguised as "dietary supplements" or "sports nutrition," which makes it difficult to identify and detain shipments at the border.

Shadow of the Law

"Kazakhstan has become a kind of gateway for the import of highly addictive substances into Russia that are prohibited for free circulation," says Alexey Gavrishev, Managing Partner of AVG Legal law firm. — The smuggling of such substances, for example, anabolic steroids, is qualified under Articles 226.1 and 234 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation and carries a penalty of up to 12 years in prison.

According to the expert, storage and sale are also strictly punishable by law — up to eight years in prison if the purpose of the sale is proven.

"Smugglers often use loopholes such as transportation through the countries of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), disguising themselves as dietary supplements or distributing them through Internet platforms and messengers," the lawyer said. — It should be remembered that selling via the Internet or Telegram channels qualifies as selling using information and telecommunication networks, which increases responsibility.

Gavrishev pointed out cases from his practice. In 2023, the administrators of a Telegram channel that sold steroids were sentenced to five to seven years in prison.

A year earlier, a court sentenced a sports coach who transported anabolic steroids through the Republic of Kazakhstan to six years of probation under Article 226.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation ("Smuggling of pathogenic biological agents, potent, poisonous, poisonous, explosive, radioactive substances").

Beauty with a wormhole

Sibutramine affects the so-called saturation center in the brain, suppressing appetite, says Daniel Petrov, a narcologist, chief physician of the narcological and psychiatric clinic of Dr. Isaev.

— At the same time, the drug increases the load on the cardiovascular system. Possible consequences include a sharp increase in blood pressure, tachycardia, arrhythmia, anxiety, insomnia, and in extreme cases, stroke or heart attack, especially in patients with undetected heart disease.

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Drugs with synthetic growth hormones are used in medicine for severe hormonal disorders, says the doctor.

— But outside the doctor's control — often in a sports environment or in anti-aging practices — their use can lead to hypertrophy of internal organs, impaired carbohydrate metabolism (up to diabetes mellitus), swelling, joint pain, and an increased risk of tumor processes.

According to him, in clinical practice, there are cases of overdose or side effects of such substances, especially often with self-medication.

— As a rule, these are patients from 20 to 40 years old, motivated by the desire to lose weight quickly and improve their appearance, — says the narcologist. — Sometimes there are amateur athletes who focus not on medical recommendations, but on advice from forums and social networks.

It is important to understand that the use of potent drugs outside of medical supervision carries serious risks, Daniil Petrov believes.

— The desire to quickly change the body without understanding the physiological and psychological consequences can result not only in poor health, but also in the development of addiction, including behavioral, when a person continues to take medication despite the harm.