A two-year drug investigation into steroid trafficking that began at a Warren County YMCA has led to the secret indictments of 32 people from six counties.
Investigators said the case, which led Warren County Drug Task Force members to the source of the drugs and a clandestine lab located in Tennessee, was initiated after officials received complaints of steroid use at the Countryside YMCA in Lebanon.
“This is one of the biggest cases in terms of the number of charges and individuals in recent history,” said county Prosecutor David Fornshell.
Those indicted and arrested were from Warren, Butler, Hamilton, Montgomery, Clinton and Clermont counties. Fornshell said the indictments have been handed down over a period of time but have remained secret and had not been released.
The people indicted are facing more than 100 charges, ranging from engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity to trafficking and possessing drugs. A news conference is scheduled for Tuesday, when officials are expected to provide details into the investigation.
Mike Carroll, Countryside YMCA president and CEO, said about two years ago he heard a rumor that someone was trying to push steroids in the facility’s cardio strength area. While he did not have any names or other information, Carroll said, “I treat rumors like that very seriously.”
Carroll said he contacted the county prosecutor’s office, which referred the complaint to the county Drug Task Force.
Carroll said he was the only person at the Y who was aware that an undercover agent was investigating the complaint. He said he would receive updates from the Drug Task Force on the investigation about every four to six months.
“It’s our desire to keep this kind of illicit activity out of the community and out of our facility,” Carroll said. “I’m delighted that it has culminated in a positive law enforcement action. I guess it takes time as it was my understanding that they were going after the manufacturers and traffickers. It was one of those things that one thing led to another that led to another.”
Carroll said, “to my knowledge, there are no employees involved.” However, he said he was not 100 percent sure as he does not know who has been indicted.
Maj. John Burke, drug task force commander, declined to comment on the indictments until Tuesday’s news conference.
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