Doping dragnet results in arrests at Nordic worlds

Nine in custody after authorities swoop to smash operation in Austria, Germany

VIENNA - Police raids targeting a suspected doping network resulted in nine arrests - including five athletes - at the Nordic world skiing championships in the Austrian resort of Seefeld on Wednesday.

Austrian and German police carried out a series of raids in both countries.

Markus Gandler from the Austrian Ski Association (OSV) told ORF television that two cross-country skiers from the Austrian team, Dominik Baldauf and Max Hauke, were among those placed under arrested.

"I'm in a state of shock. It's not the first time and it looks like it's not the last time either," Gandler said.

One Kazakh and two Estonian athletes were also detained, Austria's Federal Criminal Police Office said in a statement.

Police spokesman Dieter Csefan said one of the arrested athletes had been "caught in the act".

"He was seized while receiving a blood transfusion in his arm," Csefan told a media conference.

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) said it was co-operating with police forces in both countries.

"The World Anti-Doping Agency can confirm that it has been in close communication with law enforcement authorities in relation to the raids and arrests that police carried out today in Austria and Germany," a statement said.

"The raids were part of a wider police operation targeting criminals from a number of European countries, and WADA's Intelligence and Investigations Department has been providing information and other assistance to the authorities in the course of their operation."

'Operation Bloodletting'

Austrian police said the doping ring has been active for at least five years and was based in Erfurt, Germany.

The ring is "strongly suspected of carrying out blood doping of elite athletes in order to improve their performances in national and international competitions and to gain illegal profit from this", the police said.

A 40-year-old sports doctor, identified only as 'Mark S,' is thought by police to have been a central figure in the doping ring and was arrested along with an alleged accomplice.