French newspaper Le Monde is reporting that a court in Paris began an investigation into suspicious circumstances surrounding the Astana cycling team in July.

During the Tour de France, blood transfusion kits were found in the hotel rooms of the Astana cyclists and their assistants. Both Alberto Contador, who won the Tour, and Lance Armstrong, who came third, were members of the Astana team. Blood transfusion is banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency.
   
The newspaper says that drugs which reduce high blood pressure were also found during the search. These drugs are not banned but can be used to treat hypertension associated with the practice of blood transfusions or the administering of the banned blood booster EPO.

Genetic material belonging to seven people was discovered on the kits. In a bid to identify the people involved, the court investigators have requested blood profiles from the International Cycling Union.

Photo of Astana team cyclists by EPA