Canadian doctor of Maltese descent indicted in US over drugs smuggling

Anthony Galea, a Canadian sports doctor of Maltese descent, has been formally indicted for smuggling unapproved drugs into the US to treat high profile athletes.

The doctor’s client base includes golfer Tiger Woods, baseball celebrity Alex Rodriguez and several top American football players. The indictment, in Buffalo, US, does not identify any athletes by name.

The Toronto-based specialist was accused of smuggling human growth hormone and other substances across the US-Canadian border. He was also charged with conspiracy, fraud and lying to border agents, AFP news agency said.

In July, Mr Woods was interviewed by authorities investigating Dr Galea’s case. He had already confirmed he was treated by Dr Galea, who administered platelet-enriched plasma treatments for his left knee but denied taking any performance-enhancing substances.

Dr Galea’s supporters said he “plays by the rules” but was not afraid to push the boundaries. His platelet-rich plasma therapy is used to treat athletes’ injuries by re-injecting platelet-rich blood withdrawn from the athlete and injecting it back into the injured area to speed re-covery, the international media reported.

In June, Dr Galea’s former aide, Mary Catalano, pleaded guilty to one count of lying to border agents and said she had a “lapse of judgment” when agreeing to take drug vials and medical equipment to the US for Dr Galea to use on athletes. Judgment in her case, originally scheduled for this week, has been put off.

According to court reports, some of Dr Galea’s clients had received injections of human growth hormone, which is banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency as being a performing enhancing drug.