Authorities in Thessaloniki have uncovered a stash of more than 35,000 boxes of steroids after arresting a man who was allegedly in the process of mailing to 10 different countries packages containing anabolic steroids and other illegal pharmaceuticals.

The Finance Ministry said that its Special Investigation Service (SIS) had arrested the Greek national, of Georgian descent, at a post office and that a search of his home uncovered 35,276 boxes of tablets, capsules and injectable drugs, many of which are classified as steroids.

Police said that the drugs had been smuggled into Greece by bus from Russia, which is thought to be where the international operation is based.

The packages were marked with addresses in Japan, Saudi Arabia, United States, Britain, France, Belgium, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain.