Ep 4. Steroids

In season 1 episode 4 of Trafficked with Mariana van Zeller, titled Steroids, the Emmy-winning journalist delves into the world of performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) and the black market that supplies them.

Mariana meets with bodybuilders, athletes, and gym-goers who openly admit to using steroids and other PEDs to achieve their desired physique and athletic performance. She also speaks with medical professionals who explain the dangers and health risks associated with PED use, including liver damage, cardiovascular disease and, in some cases, death.

The episode takes Mariana to various locations where she uncovers the illegal underground networks that supply and distribute PEDs. She travels to Thailand to meet with a British expat who runs a website selling anabolic steroids and other PEDs worldwide. Mariana gains insight into the ease of ordering and receiving illegal drugs through the internet.

In Mexico, Mariana meets with a local chemist who produces steroids in clandestine labs. He reveals the dangers involved in manufacturing PEDs, the involvement of organized crime and drug cartels in the business, and the difficulty of producing quality, safe products.

Mariana also interviews former steroid smugglers who detail their participation in transporting millions of dollars worth of PEDs across borders. These individuals highlight the risks involved in such operations and the legal repercussions they faced when caught.

Throughout Steroids, Mariana examines the ethics of using PEDs, questioning whether they provide athletes with an unfair advantage and whether their use should be legalized and regulated. She also weighs the consequences of the availability of steroids on young people, who may be led to use these drugs without realizing the potential harms.

The episode sheds light on the dark world of PEDs and their pervasive influence in the fitness and sports industry. Trafficked with Mariana van Zeller offers a thought-provoking look at the many issues associated with steroid use and the shadowy industry that profits from it.