Indian Arrested In Possession Of Doping Drugs Targeting Kenyan Athletes
The raid followed actionable intelligence pointing to a possible distribution ring operating out of the high-altitude town.
Viral Tea Ke Writer 
Authorities have seized a stash of banned performance-enhancing drugs in a high-stakes raid carried out in Iten, Elgeyo Marakwet County, a town globally recognised as a training ground for elite long-distance runners.
The joint operation, led by the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK) in collaboration with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), targeted a residence occupied by an Indian national suspected of trafficking illegal substances.
The raid followed actionable intelligence pointing to a possible distribution ring operating out of the high-altitude town.
Photo of a High Altitude Training Camp in Iten. /THE KENYA EXPERIENCE
During the operation, officers confiscated an assortment of substances banned under the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Code — including human growth hormone (HGH), meldonium, and mannitol.
Authorities also recovered a large quantity of intravenous paraphernalia, including IV bags, syringes, and needles, indicating potential doping practices.
ADAK raised serious concerns about the presence of such substances in Iten, a hub that attracts athletes from across the globe seeking to train in Kenya’s renowned altitude conditions.
The agency emphasised the dual threat posed by performance-enhancing drugs: not only are they illegal in sport, but they also endanger athletes' health and the integrity of competition.
"The report was booked at Iten Police Station. Investigations are ongoing to establish the full scope of the activities, including potential networks, clients, and any violations of the Kenya Anti-Doping Law and International Anti-Doping policies, rules and regulations," revealed ADAK in its statement on Tuesday, May 6.
ADAK has vowed to maintain its aggressive stance against doping. In a statement, the agency reiterated its commitment to enforcing both local and international anti-doping regulations, warning that those involved in doping will be pursued relentlessly.
The country has been grappling with the scourge of doping, which has threatened to taint the image of the sport, with Kenya having survived a possible suspension from the World Governing body in 2023.
There were increased cases of doping between 2022 and 2023, with close to 40 bans imposed by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU).
The government has been promising to step up its commitment, especially financially, to help curb the vice and prevent Kenya from going the Russia way.
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) handed Russia a two-year ban, among the most severe sanctions it had given to a country, down from its original four years for its state-sponsored doping program leading up to the Sochi Olympics in 2014.
