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Trenbolone and punishable doping in Germany

In a recent article, Manager-Magazin (MM) highlighted an alarming development in the field of weight training: trenbolone, a steroid originally developed for cattle breeding, has become a dangerous trend in bodybuilding and recreational sports. Under the guise of fitness and body cult, a substance is being celebrated whose side effects and risks are alarming.

A drug with a history – and fatal side effects

Trenbolone was originally developed for veterinary medicine to promote the growth of livestock. The substance is a strong anabolic steroid with a moderate androgenic effect that no longer has a place in human medicine. Nevertheless, it is abused by many athletes to achieve rapid muscle gains and fat loss. The list of side effects is long and frightening: insomnia, high blood pressure, risk of heart attack and psychological problems such as aggression or panic attacks. Young people in particular, who are influenced by social media idols, underestimate these dangers.

Social media as an amplifier of the trend: platforms such as TikTok and YouTube have contributed significantly to the spread of the Trenbolone trend. According to MM, influencers present impressive body transformations and create an unrealistic ideal image that appeals to young people in particular. The Manager Magazin article cites examples such as the “Tren Twins” and other personalities who – whether consciously or unconsciously – contribute to the popularization of Trenbolone.

The illegal business behind Trenbolone

In addition to the health risks, the magazine also takes a look at the criminal dimension of trenbolone trafficking. According to the Manager Magazin report, the substance is produced in underground laboratories in the form of injectable ampoules. These end up in the hands of consumers via convoluted trade routes and dubious online stores. The black market is flourishing, with estimated sales in the billions.

Criminal law and social aspects

The problem goes far beyond individual health risks. The trade in trenbolone and other steroids poses a challenge for law enforcement authorities. Production and distribution often take place in countries with laxer regulations, while the end users are located in countries with strict doping laws. This makes it considerably more difficult to combat these illegal markets. I’ll go into this in more detail in a moment.


Trenbolone and the criminal law challenges of doping

The discussion surrounding trenbolone as a doping agent goes far beyond health risks. In addition to the ethical and social implications, criminal law aspects are also increasingly coming into focus. As numerous judgments have shown, dealing with trenbolone and other doping substances poses a legal challenge that raises complex questions in criminal and pharmaceutical law.

Legal basis: What makes doping a criminal offense?

In Germany, the trade, possession and manufacture of doping agents are regulated by the German Medicinal Products Act (AMG) and the Anti-Doping Act (AntiDopG). According to Section 2 AMG, doping agents such as trenbolone are considered medicinal products, the manufacture and marketing of which are strictly regulated. Section 6a AMG is particularly relevant, as it prohibits doping in sport and defines the term “sport” broadly – including recreational sport.

The possession of doping substances “in quantities that are not small” is particularly problematic. This is a threshold relevant under criminal law that determines the quantity above which possession is classified as dangerous and punishable. Trenbolone is subject to particularly strict controls due to its potent effect.

The role of trenbolone: criminal offense and use

Trenbolone is a classic example of the criminal law problems associated with doping. It is often traded in large quantities on the black market, with production often taking place in illegal underground laboratories. Cases such as that of a defendant who stored and sold trenbolone together with other anabolic steroids for doping purposes show the dimensions of this problem. In a ruling by the Munich Regional Court, it was established that the defendant systematically imported large quantities of trenbolone from China, processed it and sold it to strength athletes.

Legal issues and practical problems in case law

The case law on doping substances raises several fundamental questions:

  1. Differentiation between possession and trafficking: Cases such as that of the Federal Court of Justice (2019) show that the transition between “self-doping” and commercial trafficking is fluid. It is often argued that possession of a large quantity of doping substances automatically gives rise to the suspicion of trafficking.
  2. Constitutionality of the regulations: The constitutionality of some standards, in particular Section 6a AMG, has been repeatedly questioned in case law. Critics see the dynamic reference to international agreements as an inadmissible restriction of the legislator’s power to legislate.
  3. Evidence problems: In many proceedings, the origin of doping substances is a central point of contention. Substances such as trenbolone are often ordered and transported abroad without verifiable proof of origin, which makes prosecution more difficult.
  4. Limits to prosecution: Another problem is the international dimension of the doping trade. The close links between manufacturers, intermediaries and end consumers across national borders make it difficult for law enforcement authorities to dismantle the networks.
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Previous judgments in Germany show that the sentences vary. While possession of small quantities often leads to fines or suspended sentences, commercial dealers are sentenced to several years in prison, as in the case of the Munich Regional Court.

Conclusion: A holistic solution is required

Trenbolone illustrates the complexity of the doping problem. In addition to preventive measures and social education, the legal framework needs to be continuously adapted. This is because the combination of health risks, advertising via social media and the criminal structures of the trade make the trenbolone trend a multi-layered threat.

From a criminal law point of view, there are always defense approaches, at least at the level of sentencing. Investigators like to hang the proceedings too high at the beginning, personal fates and a lack of criminal energy are all too often ignored.

German Lawyer Jens Ferner (Criminal Defense & IT-Law)
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