TGA and NSW Police Seize $120K of Peptides From Influencer
More than $120,000 of illicit peptides and steroids were seized from two NSW homes. Products included retatrutide, CJC-1295 and the Wolverine Stack.
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), with the assistance of NSW Police, has seized more than $120,000 of illicit peptide and anabolic steroid products from two residential premises in New South Wales allegedly linked to a social media influencer, the regulator announced on 17 August.
The products include retatrutide, CJC-1295 and the “Wolverine Stack”, a combination of BPC-157 and TB-500. The influencer allegedly imported and relabelled the products before advertising and selling them across social media platforms and a dedicated website.
Search warrants for the two properties were executed on 4 August. Cannabis was also allegedly located at one of the properties and seized by NSW Police. The TGA said the influencer had previously been warned by the regulator.
”Selling online does not place you outside the law”
Professor Anthony Lawler, Deputy Secretary of the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing and head of the TGA, said the operation was aimed directly at social media sellers.
“This operation sends a clear message to people using social media to promote or supply unapproved peptides. Selling or supplying online does not place you outside the law,” Professor Lawler said.
“Those who unlawfully import, advertise, manufacture or supply these products risk having them seized. They also may receive substantial infringement notices, and face civil or criminal court action. The TGA will use the full range of compliance and enforcement powers available to disrupt unlawful activity and protect Australian consumers.”
It is unlawful to import, advertise, manufacture and supply unapproved peptide products in Australia. The TGA noted that many peptide products sold through websites, instant messaging applications, social media platforms and overseas suppliers are unapproved therapeutic goods that have not been assessed for safety, quality or effectiveness.
Penalties for breach of the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 include civil penalties of up to $1.82 million per breach for individuals and $18.2 million per breach for corporations, and criminal penalties of up to seven years imprisonment.
The seizure follows the TGA’s July warning that put influencers, affiliates and online sellers of unapproved peptide products “on notice”, and a broader compliance crackdown announced in June.
Same-week warning on inconsistently dosed melanotan II
On the same day, the TGA published a separate safety alert based on laboratory testing of products seized in an earlier investigation. Tests on five nasal spray bottles labelled “Pure Tans Triple Strength 30 MG” found the estimated amount of melanotan II ranged from 22 mg to 54 mg per bottle, based on the labelled volume of 20 mL per bottle. The TGA said inconsistent dosage across the bottles increased the risk of adverse events.
The alert referenced 27 infringement notices totalling $101,412 issued to a NSW-based individual for the alleged unlawful supply of melanotan II products to Australian consumers. The notices were paid in May 2026.
Melanotan II is a prescription-only medicine in Australia and is not approved for use as a tanning agent. The TGA said there are currently no products containing it listed on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods.
What it means
The seizure announcement is the first in the current enforcement cycle in which the TGA has named specific peptide products commonly traded in the unapproved market. Retatrutide, CJC-1295 and BPC-157/TB-500 combinations are widely offered by online vendors targeting Australian researchers.
For buyers, the regulator’s message is that the same products remain subject to enforcement regardless of where they are advertised. Importing unapproved peptides can result in border seizure and infringement notices; larger or repeated importation can lead to criminal charges.
The TGA encourages anyone who suspects non-compliance in relation to therapeutic goods to report it, and urges consumers to treat unapproved peptide products sold on social media or through dedicated websites with caution.
Sources
- TGA: TGA flexes its muscle against illegal peptides and steroids (17 August 2026)
- TGA: Melanotan II tanning peptide products found to be inconsistently dosed (17 August 2026)
- RACGP newsGP: TGA issues urgent melanotan II tanning product warning (18 August 2026)
For educational purposes only. This content is informational and reflects publicly reported developments. It is not legal, medical, or regulatory advice. Consult a qualified professional for compliance questions.