Hyderabad, October 25, 2025
In a sweeping operation aimed at curbing the rampant misuse of performance-enhancing drugs, the Telangana Drugs Control Administration (DCA) conducted surprise inspections at 20 gyms across Hyderabad on Friday, seizing illegal stocks of anabolic steroids and cardiac stimulants being sold to bodybuilders and fitness enthusiasts. The raids, which spanned multiple neighborhoods, exposed a burgeoning underground network peddling prescription-only medications without authorization, raising alarms over severe health risks to unsuspecting gym-goers.
The inspections, carried out in coordination with local police, targeted high-profile areas including Secunderabad, Mehdipatnam, Tolichowki, Malakpet, Punjagutta, Narsingi, Banjara Hills, Jubilee Hills, Madhapur, Kothapet, Kukatpally, and Suraram. Officials uncovered 66 vials of 'Termiva' and 'Termin' injections—both containing Mephentermine Sulphate (30 mg/ml), a potent cardiac stimulant typically prescribed for treating low blood pressure during spinal anesthesia. Additional seizures included various anabolic-androgenic steroids, commonly abused for rapid muscle growth and endurance enhancement.
No arrests were made during the operation, but DCA teams issued stern warnings to gym owners and trainers, emphasizing that stocking or selling such drugs without a valid license violates the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940. Offenders face penalties of up to five years in prison and hefty fines. "The illegal sale and abuse of such medicines can have life-threatening consequences," a senior DCA official stated, underscoring the agency's commitment to stricter enforcement. "We urge gym operators to comply with the law and educate their members about the dangers of non-medical use."
Health experts have long warned about the perils of these substances. Mephentermine Sulphate, when misused as a performance booster, can trigger cardiovascular disorders, including irregular heartbeats and hypertension, potentially leading to fatal outcomes. Anabolic steroids, meanwhile, are linked to a host of long-term issues such as heart complications, liver damage, hormonal imbalances, infertility, kidney failure, and psychological disorders like aggression and depression. The DCA noted a sharp rise in such abuses among young fitness enthusiasts in Telangana, often fueled by social media influencers and peer pressure in gym cultures.
This crackdown follows a series of targeted raids, including a recent bust in Secunderabad where similar cardiac stimulants were seized from an unlicensed premises catering to gym-goers. Officials revealed that the drugs were being sourced from unregulated suppliers and dispensed covertly, sometimes disguised as "supplements" or injected on-site by unqualified trainers. "Bodybuilders are increasingly turning to these shortcuts for quick gains, but the toll on their health is irreversible," the official added, calling for public awareness campaigns.
The operation is part of a broader DCA initiative to monitor prescription drug misuse across the state, with plans for continued surveillance in fitness centers. Gym associations in Hyderabad have responded cautiously, with some owners vowing to implement stricter protocols, while others decry the raids as overly intrusive. As the investigation deepens, authorities are probing potential larger syndicates supplying these banned substances, signaling a zero-tolerance stance on what they term a "public health crisis in disguise."
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