High levels of EPO found in seized bags of blood-reports

By Staff
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Google Oneindia News

MADRID, Nov 24 (Reuters) Some of the bags of blood seized in the Operacion Puerto police investigation in Spain have been found to have high levels of EPO in them, Spanish media said today.

A laboratory in Barcelona has reported its findings to the judge in charge of the investigation after analysing bags of blood found in two apartments belonging to doctor Eufemiano Fuentes.

The artificial form of EPO was reportedly found in eight out of around 90 bags that were analysed. EPO stimulates the production of red blood cells, increasing oxygen-carrying capacity and therefore improving endurance.

A lawyer representing Fuentes, Julian Perez Templado, told Spanish daily El Mundo: ''We have nothing official about the results of the tests.

''But the fact that they have discovered EPO in the bags of blood does not signify that it is a crime against the public health. That is what the defendants are being judged on.'' Doping is not yet a criminal offence in Spain, so the defendants are being accused of crimes against the public health.

Cyclists linked with the investigation will not be charged but could be called as witnesses.

The Spanish Cycling Federation has shelved disciplinary proceedings against cyclists with the investigation still on-going.

The government backed anti-doping probe hit the headlines in May after Civil Guard raided addresses in Madrid and Zaragoza.

They found large quantities on anabolic steroids, equipment used for blood transfusions and more than 100 frozen bags of blood.

REUTERS PDS RAI1903

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