AP: Lance Armstrong, prohibited a doctor held prior to the 2010 Tour

ROME (AP) — Lance Armstrong and banned an Italian physician in Europe have met repeatedly since severing official ties in 2004, including recently, last year before Armstrong in the final Tour de France, a high-ranking official of the Italian law enforcement said the Associated Press on Friday. By Alex Wong, Getty Images

Lance Armstrong and disgraced doctor Michele Ferrari cut occupational ties for 2004.

By Alex Wong, Getty Images

Lance Armstrong and disgraced doctor Michele Ferrari cut occupational ties for 2004.

Michele Ferrari was the 2006 criminal charges accusing him of distributing doping products for athletes, but this remains banned for life by the Italian cycling Federation. Italian authorities suspect Ferrari continue to work with 20 23–30 top level riders, despite ban, including Armstrong, and actively this line of research, said the official law enforcement. Padua Prosecutor Benedetto Roberti ordered raids Thursday across Italy leading cyclists are believed to have links with Ferrari. Italian riders who work with the risk doctor bans from three to six months the law enforcement officer ... who is not authorized to speak publicly, because the investigation is still underway, he said that Armstrong met Ferrari frequently during many yearsMoritz, Switzerland, usually in, or Monte Carlo, Monaco. Ferrari had worked with the seven-time tour winner for several years before the separation of their 2004. Achieved at home by the AP on Friday, was asked if he saw Ferrari last Armstrong. "I really do not know. When, last year? Look, right now I can't remember, "he said," but haven't had a business relationship with Mr. Armstrong for a long time ".Armstrong has always denied doping. He retired from cycling for the second time earlier this year. "Lance had a professional relationship with Dr. Ferrari since 2004, but remains friends with his family doctor and sees any time soon. Lance last saw Dr. Ferrari around a year ago, "lawyer mark Fabiani said Armstrong in an e-mail message. recent meetings between Armstrong and Ferrari could provide evidence for a United States federal probe on doping, cycling. Armstrong is by far the highest profile athlete under consideration in this case, that is before a jury in Los Angeles., Without identifying the source of sports illustrated said in January that when Italian authorities raided the home of teammate Armstrong Jaroslav Popovych last November in Italiabrikan texts and emails the link to the RadioShack team Ferrari as recently In November 2009., European and American players met at Interpol headquarters in Lyon, France, to share information about all investigations. "Government sources leaking inaccurate rumors to create the false impression that this expedition taxpayer-expensive fishing has a purpose," said Fabiani. cyclists raided Thursday in Sicily and Northern Italy include Michele Scarponi--a Title contender this year's Giro d'Italia--and partner Leonardo Bertagnolli Lampreand five current and former Russian team Katusha riders with no arrests were made. one of the Russians, Aleksander Kolobnev, won the bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, getting bumped from fourth after Italy's Davide Rebellin was stripped of silver and Katusha. Lampre teams confirmed that police inspected the bikers ' biological passports and confiscated anti-inflammatoriesmilk powder, and power lines.Ferrari refused to comment on the raids. "I have many things to say, but I will say at the moment is right," he said. "The moment I have nothing to say."More strikes are likely, the Italian law enforcement official said. "We have tried to do some links and saw that some of what we were looking for. But this is not yet complete, "said the official. "All is associated with (Ferrari)."