Antonio David Jiménez Pentinel, European 3,000 metres steeplechase champion on 2002, has been arrested in Sevilla in connection with the trafficking of doping substances.
The 37-year-old is currently being held in custody after the discovery at his home of syringes, vials of growth hormones, blood ready for transfusion and other substances.
A total of thirteen people have been arrested during an investigation codenamed Operation Jumbo. Being a federated athlete, Pentinel will receive an automatic two-year ban for possession of doping substances, regardless of whether or not they were actually used.