The European police authority Europol has confirmed doping investigations during the Tour de France.
According to a statement, 14 searches were carried out in six countries between 27 and 30 June, three people were questioned and various items of evidence were seized.
The homes of drivers and team members in Belgium, Spain, Croatia, Italy, Poland and Slovenia were searched. The Marseille public prosecutor's office was in charge. Although Europol named the team Bahrain-Victorious but the racing team itself had confirmed searches on both Monday and Thursday.
According to the newspaper "Le Parisien", which refers to the Marseille public prosecutor's office, phones, computers, storage media and prescription drugs were confiscated.
The homes of the Slovenian manager Milan Erzen, the Polish team doctor Piotr Kosielski and the French nurse Barnabé Moulin were searched. Italian pro Damiano Caruso also admitted to "Cyclingnews" that his house in Sicily had been searched.
Caruso is captaining the team in this year's Tour de France. Last year, the 34-year-old did not take part in the Tour of France. Back then, the Bahrain-Victorious team hotel in the Pyrenees was searched.
According to the drivers, mobile phones were also confiscated. The results of the investigation are still pending. So far, no official investigation has been initiated against any rider, nor have any bans been imposed. Bahrain-Victorious won the team classification and three stages in the last Tour.
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