MADRID: World steeplechase champion Marta Dominguez and the doctor at the center of Operation Puerto were among a reported 14 people detained by the Spanish Civil Guard Thursday in a new doping investigation. Sports doctors, pharmacists, trainers, coaches, representatives and sportspeople were among those detained, suspected of crimes against public health, the Ministry of the Interior said in a statement. The Civil Guard raided Dominguez's home in Palencia and took a laptop, a briefcase and a box as part of “Operation Galgo.” Spanish media reported she was detained along with her trainer, Cesar Perez, and Operation Puerto doctor Eufemiano Fuentes. National broadcaster RTVE reported that 14 people in all were arrested by police Thursday, including 2002 European 5,000-m champion Alberto Garcia. Police also raided addresses in Madrid, Las Palmas, Alicante and Segovia. Anabolic steroids, hormones, bags of blood and other material used for blood transfusions were among the material reportedly seized. The Civil Guard confirmed an investigation was under way when contacted by the Associated Press, but would not comment on the matter. “We can't say anything about the situation of Marta Dominguez,” sports secretary Jaime Lissavetzky said. “It's a running investigation.” Another trainer, Manuel Pascua Piqueras, was also among the reported suspects. A woman identifying herself as Pascua Piqueras' daughter told the AP by telephone that the Civil Guard had been to the family's home in the Spanish capital earlier Thursday, but she said Piqueras had not been arrested. Other Spanish media reports said cyclist Luis Leon Sanchez, who recently signed for Rabobank, was also being investigated. Former mountainbike rider Albert Leon - who was arrested in the Puerto raid - was also linked to Galgo. The 35-year-old Dominguez is skipping the 2011 season because she is pregnant, but intends to return in time for the 2012 London Olympics. Dominguez also won the 5,000m at the 2002 and 2006 European championships. Operation Galgo is the third Civil Guard investigation into doping in sports after last year's Operation Grial, which led to a two-year ban for Spanish 20km walker Francisco “Paquillo” Fernandez. Fernandez, who won the silver medal at the 2004 Olympics, was among 11 people arrested in the raids last November. Operation Puerto remains cycling's biggest investigation with more than 50 cyclists implicated following raids in May 2006 that netted steroids, blood bags and blood doping equipment. It led to bans for Alejandro Valverde and Ivan Basso. Spain passed anti-doping legislation after Operation Puerto making those caught promoting drugs in sports eligible for jail terms. Spain has been criticized for it's soft stance on drug cheats following the Operation Puerto case, in which Valverde was the lone Spanish athlete to be sanctioned.
