The Maltese Herald has confirmed that four people arrested over the alleged sale of illegal steroids and peptides include a group of professionals providing weight-loss treatments to their clients and patients. Two of the individuals arrested are Dr Matthew Seychell and gym owner Etienne Hayman.
Among those arrested is also a 33-year-old woman from Qormi.
The arrests were carried out following a Police operation earlier this month, with searches taking place at properties in Marsa, Msida, Żejtun, Qormi and Marsaskala. Police seized more than 2,100 units of peptides, steroids and other illegal substances, along with approximately €8,000 in cash and several electronic devices.
The four individuals remain under investigation and have not yet been charged in Court.
The investigation concerns, among other substances, unauthorised peptides allegedly being sold for weight loss. These differ from authorised prescription medicines such as Ozempic, which have undergone regulatory approval and clinical testing. Some of the peptides circulating on the Maltese market are still experimental and have not been authorised for public use.
One of the substances which has become increasingly popular is Retatrutide, commonly referred to online as “Reta”. The experimental drug is still undergoing clinical trials and has not been authorised for general medical use. Maltese health authorities warned consumers in June against purchasing Retatrutide and other unauthorised products from social media and informal sellers, warning that such products may be counterfeit, improperly stored or of unknown quality.
Police investigations into the alleged distribution network are ongoing.
Newsroom
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