More signs of a possible international underground steroid lab crackdown.

( we somehow missed reporting on the "Working group meeting of experts in Doping" that took place in November last year, we googled the report and oddly could find no mention of it on any bodybuilding blogs or steroid forums )

A key outcome of the meeting was an agreement to establish a global network of specialists in order to carry out future international operations to combat the illegal production and sale of PIEDs by criminal gangs via the Internet.

“In recent years we have seen a massive increase in sales of anabolic steroids and other performance enhancing drugs via the Internet,” said Mr Leclaire.

“This working group meeting has demonstrated the willingness of member countries to share information and expertise in combating doping trafficking and will provide a sound platform for future operations to target this type of criminality.”

( the current news story below is we think a follow up to it )

World Anti-Doping Agency head John Fahey said a recent report from the international police agency on the supply and trafficking of performance enhancing drugs was a "reality check."

"There is ample evidence that has come through from Interpol to suggest that there is almost as much money if not more money to coming out of performance enhancing drugs as there is out of the illegal drug trade throughout the world," he said.

Fahey made the comments Sunday at the conclusion of weekend meetings in Montreal of WADA's executive committee and foundation board, during which the agency reviewed its first report from a new partnership with Interpol.

"There's a problem of mammoth proportions out there," he said. "If we were of the view that the problem is going away, that is certainly not the advice we were given by Interpol."

He said strong laws were needed to beat the trafficking of these types of drugs across borders.

"After I read that report that we're going to have to still be around for a long time yet," he said. "There's a hell of a lot out there."

WADA director general David Howman noted the vast amount of these drugs — from steroids to human growth hormone — were being used by the segments outside the elite athlete community.

"You start to realize how big an issue this is in society," he said.