Abbott announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved AndroGel 1.62%, a clear, odorless, gel formulation shown to restore testosterone levels in hypogonadal men with half the volume of gel at the starting dose compared to AndroGel 1%. At the starting dose, the new AndroGel 1.62% contains 40.5 mg of testosterone in two pump presses, whereas AndroGel 1% contains 50 mg of testosterone in four pump presses.
Dosage and administration for AndroGel 1.62% differs from AndroGel 1% and the two are not interchangeable. Both AndroGel 1.62% and AndroGel 1% are prescription medications used to treat adult males with low or no testosterone, also known as hypogonadism.
Three more jailed due to PowerMedica's 2005 steroid bust.
Three more people have been convicted and sentenced in an illegal steroid distribution case that also ensnared numerous law enforcement officers, including over a dozen Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO) deputies.
But so far no BSO deputies have been charged or disciplined in connection with the case. The case involves PowerMedica, a now closed Deerfield Beach pharmaceutical company.
Broward Sheriff’s Office deputies and federal agents with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration raided PowerMedica in 2005. They seized drugs, computers, and medical records.
After years of subsequent investigations , a federal grand jury seated in West Palm Beach began returning indictments in the case last summer.
According to a press release issued by Annette Castillo, spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Miami, U.S. District Court Judge James I. Cohn sentenced James D’Amico in April to 51 months’ imprisonment.
Cohn also sentenced Daniel L. Dailey and Manuel Sanguily last August to 46 months and 30 months, respectively.
U.S. District Court Judge Marcia G. Cooke sentenced William L. Dailey on March 2 to 18 months’ imprisonment.
Beach was CEO of PowerMedica. His father, William L. Dailey, 72, of Boca Raton, was president.
Sanguily, 78, is a doctor from Milwood, N.Y., and D’Amico, 58, is a former dentist from Cape Coral. Both worked for PowerMedica and pleaded guilty to conspiring to illegally distribute human growth hormones and steroids. D’Amico also pleaded guilty to lying to the grand jury.
The men admitted they knew they were distributing the drug to be illegally used for bodybuilding, athletic performance, and anti-aging. The Daileys admitted they were aware that PowerMedica used untrained or licensed staff to consult with customers. They also admitted that staff signed orders without meeting, talking to or reviewing customers’ medical records.
Sanguily signed more than 2,000 orders, which earned him more than $50,000. D’Amico signed more than 300 orders, which netted him over a $100,000.
But so far no BSO deputies have been charged or disciplined in connection with the case. The case involves PowerMedica, a now closed Deerfield Beach pharmaceutical company.
Broward Sheriff’s Office deputies and federal agents with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration raided PowerMedica in 2005. They seized drugs, computers, and medical records.
After years of subsequent investigations , a federal grand jury seated in West Palm Beach began returning indictments in the case last summer.
According to a press release issued by Annette Castillo, spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Miami, U.S. District Court Judge James I. Cohn sentenced James D’Amico in April to 51 months’ imprisonment.
Cohn also sentenced Daniel L. Dailey and Manuel Sanguily last August to 46 months and 30 months, respectively.
U.S. District Court Judge Marcia G. Cooke sentenced William L. Dailey on March 2 to 18 months’ imprisonment.
Beach was CEO of PowerMedica. His father, William L. Dailey, 72, of Boca Raton, was president.
Sanguily, 78, is a doctor from Milwood, N.Y., and D’Amico, 58, is a former dentist from Cape Coral. Both worked for PowerMedica and pleaded guilty to conspiring to illegally distribute human growth hormones and steroids. D’Amico also pleaded guilty to lying to the grand jury.
The men admitted they knew they were distributing the drug to be illegally used for bodybuilding, athletic performance, and anti-aging. The Daileys admitted they were aware that PowerMedica used untrained or licensed staff to consult with customers. They also admitted that staff signed orders without meeting, talking to or reviewing customers’ medical records.
Sanguily signed more than 2,000 orders, which earned him more than $50,000. D’Amico signed more than 300 orders, which netted him over a $100,000.
Fourteen arrested including three cops in bust of domestic Sciroxx steroid supplier.
As federal prosecutors tell it, Philadelphia Police Detective Keith Gidelson had a lucrative side business running a network that illegally distributed anabolic steroids and human growth hormone.
In an indictment unsealed yesterday, Gidelson, 34, and 14 others - including Philadelphia police officers Joseph McIntyre, 36, and George Sambuca, 25 - are accused of conspiring to distribute anabolic steroids and HGH since September 2009.
The three cops - sporting tattoos and bulging biceps - were arrested early yesterday and taken to federal magistrate court in the afternoon.
Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey called it "another dark day" for the department. The arrests bring to 26 the number of city cops who have been charged with crimes since 2009.
Ramsey said the three have been suspended for 30 days with intent to dismiss. Gidelson and Sambuca were recently out on disability. Ramsey said he would seek to recover their pay if they committed the alleged offenses while on disability.
Authorities said that Gidelson ran the distribution network out of his home on Waldemire Drive in the Far Northeast and that he obtained monthly shipments of the steroids and HGH from two suppliers identified only as "Karl" and "Roger" in Europe and China.
Karl allegedly shipped the steroids to Folsom, Calif., where co-defendant Robert James Walters repackaged the drugs and shipped them to Gidelson's house.
Roger shipped steroids to a rented mailbox Gidelson maintained at a UPS store, the indictment said.
Authorities said Gidelson and his wife, Kirsten, 36, who pleaded not guilty yesterday, stored and packaged the steroids and HGH at their home and later met with their 10 drug customers, including McIntyre and Sambuca, at their home and at area fitness clubs to distribute the steroids and HGH.
Gidelson also allegedly distributed steroids to customers throughout the United States who he met through online weightlifting chat rooms and websites.
Authorities said Gidelson and his wife, Walters and co-defendant Jay Giuliano, 41, routinely spoke on cellphones to discuss distribution activities and arrange meeting locations to distribute the steroids and HGH to customers. Giuliano pleaded not guilty yesterday.
The indictment charged that the defendants and their customers "consistently" spoke in code - often referring to the steroids as "stuff" - in order to thwart law enforcement.
For example, authorities said Gidelson sent a text message on March 4 to co-defendant Michael Barclay, 51, that read: "All new books r in brother."
Gidelson, a 14-year veteran, was assigned to the Special Victims Unit before his disability. McIntyre, another 14-year veteran, most recently worked in the 26th District. Sambuca joined the force in 2008 and worked in the 22nd District.
Gidelson is being detained pending a bail hearing on Monday. Sambuca, who pleaded not guilty to conspiracy and distribution charges, was released on $50,000 unsecured bond. McIntyre, who was not arraigned because he wants to hire his own attorney, was also released on $50,000 bond.
In an indictment unsealed yesterday, Gidelson, 34, and 14 others - including Philadelphia police officers Joseph McIntyre, 36, and George Sambuca, 25 - are accused of conspiring to distribute anabolic steroids and HGH since September 2009.
The three cops - sporting tattoos and bulging biceps - were arrested early yesterday and taken to federal magistrate court in the afternoon.
Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey called it "another dark day" for the department. The arrests bring to 26 the number of city cops who have been charged with crimes since 2009.
Ramsey said the three have been suspended for 30 days with intent to dismiss. Gidelson and Sambuca were recently out on disability. Ramsey said he would seek to recover their pay if they committed the alleged offenses while on disability.
Authorities said that Gidelson ran the distribution network out of his home on Waldemire Drive in the Far Northeast and that he obtained monthly shipments of the steroids and HGH from two suppliers identified only as "Karl" and "Roger" in Europe and China.
Karl allegedly shipped the steroids to Folsom, Calif., where co-defendant Robert James Walters repackaged the drugs and shipped them to Gidelson's house.
Roger shipped steroids to a rented mailbox Gidelson maintained at a UPS store, the indictment said.
Authorities said Gidelson and his wife, Kirsten, 36, who pleaded not guilty yesterday, stored and packaged the steroids and HGH at their home and later met with their 10 drug customers, including McIntyre and Sambuca, at their home and at area fitness clubs to distribute the steroids and HGH.
Gidelson also allegedly distributed steroids to customers throughout the United States who he met through online weightlifting chat rooms and websites.
Authorities said Gidelson and his wife, Walters and co-defendant Jay Giuliano, 41, routinely spoke on cellphones to discuss distribution activities and arrange meeting locations to distribute the steroids and HGH to customers. Giuliano pleaded not guilty yesterday.
The indictment charged that the defendants and their customers "consistently" spoke in code - often referring to the steroids as "stuff" - in order to thwart law enforcement.
For example, authorities said Gidelson sent a text message on March 4 to co-defendant Michael Barclay, 51, that read: "All new books r in brother."
Gidelson, a 14-year veteran, was assigned to the Special Victims Unit before his disability. McIntyre, another 14-year veteran, most recently worked in the 26th District. Sambuca joined the force in 2008 and worked in the 22nd District.
Gidelson is being detained pending a bail hearing on Monday. Sambuca, who pleaded not guilty to conspiracy and distribution charges, was released on $50,000 unsecured bond. McIntyre, who was not arraigned because he wants to hire his own attorney, was also released on $50,000 bond.
New research claims Testosterone therapy may be safe for men with prostate cancer.
Doctors have long held that men with prostate cancer should not be given testosterone because the hormone might fuel tumor growth. But a small study adds to evidence that the fear may be overblown, at least in patients without evidence of recurrent or metastatic disease.
Researchers studied 13 men with scores of 6 or 7 on the 10-point Gleason scale, indicating mildly to moderately aggressive prostate cancer. They all initially chose watchful waiting rather than treatment for their cancers. All the men had low testosterone.
The men received testosterone therapy for an average of two and a half years, and had periodic prostate biopsies. None of their cancers progressed or spread to other organs. One subject whose score had increased to 7 from 6 had his prostate removed, but the final pathological exam found no aggressive disease.
The authors acknowledge that the study, published in the April issue The Journal of Urology, was small and retrospective. Still, it is the first to use biopsies to monitor the effects of testosterone in men with untreated, localized prostate cancer.
The lead author, Dr. Abraham Morgentaler, an associate clinical professor of surgery at Harvard, said that the findings of this and other recent studies suggest that the risks of testosterone therapy may have been exaggerated.
Researchers studied 13 men with scores of 6 or 7 on the 10-point Gleason scale, indicating mildly to moderately aggressive prostate cancer. They all initially chose watchful waiting rather than treatment for their cancers. All the men had low testosterone.
The men received testosterone therapy for an average of two and a half years, and had periodic prostate biopsies. None of their cancers progressed or spread to other organs. One subject whose score had increased to 7 from 6 had his prostate removed, but the final pathological exam found no aggressive disease.
The authors acknowledge that the study, published in the April issue The Journal of Urology, was small and retrospective. Still, it is the first to use biopsies to monitor the effects of testosterone in men with untreated, localized prostate cancer.
The lead author, Dr. Abraham Morgentaler, an associate clinical professor of surgery at Harvard, said that the findings of this and other recent studies suggest that the risks of testosterone therapy may have been exaggerated.
Ketogenic diet 'can reverse kidney failure' in mice with diabetes.
A controlled diet high in fat and low in carbohydrate can repair kidney damage in diabetic mice, according to US scientists.
The study, published in journal PLoS ONE, showed a "ketogenic diet" could reverse damage caused to tubes in the kidneys by too much sugar in the blood.
In the UK around a third of the 2.8m people with either type 1 or 2 diabetes go on to develop kidney damage.
Diabetes UK said it was "questionable" whether humans could sustain the diet.
Damage reversed
The researchers at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York used mice with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
Once kidney damage had developed, half the mice were put onto the ketogenic diet for eight weeks.
Continue reading the main story
“Start Quote
It is also questionable whether the diet used in this model would be sustainable for humans, even in the short term.”
End Quote Dr Iain Frame Diabetes UK
The highly controlled diet, which is 87% fat, mimics the effect of starvation and should not be used without medical advice.
After eight weeks the researchers noted that kidney damage was reversed.
Professor Charles Mobbs, who led the research at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, said: "Our study is the first to show that a dietary intervention alone is enough to reverse this serious complication of diabetes.
"I certainly think it has promise, but I can't recommend it until we have done clinical trials."
The researchers also need to figure out the exact process that leads to repair.
Dr Iain Frame, director of research at Diabetes UK, said: "This research was carried out in mice so it is difficult to see how these results would translate into any real benefits for people with diabetes at this stage.
"It is too simple to say that kidney failure could be prevented by diet alone and it is also questionable whether the diet used in this model would be sustainable for humans, even in the short term."
Helen Nickerson, from the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, which part funded the research, said: "Dr Mobbs' novel observation could lead to new molecular insights in diabetic kidney disease."
The study, published in journal PLoS ONE, showed a "ketogenic diet" could reverse damage caused to tubes in the kidneys by too much sugar in the blood.
In the UK around a third of the 2.8m people with either type 1 or 2 diabetes go on to develop kidney damage.
Diabetes UK said it was "questionable" whether humans could sustain the diet.
Damage reversed
The researchers at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York used mice with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
Once kidney damage had developed, half the mice were put onto the ketogenic diet for eight weeks.
Continue reading the main story
“Start Quote
It is also questionable whether the diet used in this model would be sustainable for humans, even in the short term.”
End Quote Dr Iain Frame Diabetes UK
The highly controlled diet, which is 87% fat, mimics the effect of starvation and should not be used without medical advice.
After eight weeks the researchers noted that kidney damage was reversed.
Professor Charles Mobbs, who led the research at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, said: "Our study is the first to show that a dietary intervention alone is enough to reverse this serious complication of diabetes.
"I certainly think it has promise, but I can't recommend it until we have done clinical trials."
The researchers also need to figure out the exact process that leads to repair.
Dr Iain Frame, director of research at Diabetes UK, said: "This research was carried out in mice so it is difficult to see how these results would translate into any real benefits for people with diabetes at this stage.
"It is too simple to say that kidney failure could be prevented by diet alone and it is also questionable whether the diet used in this model would be sustainable for humans, even in the short term."
Helen Nickerson, from the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, which part funded the research, said: "Dr Mobbs' novel observation could lead to new molecular insights in diabetic kidney disease."
Alleged Danbury area steroids gang ring leader released from custody.
A Bethel man who authorities said spearheaded a large-scale drug ring selling steroids and marijuana in the area has been released from federal custody.
According to court documents, Mark Mansa, 46, who was arrested on conspiracy charges in late February, was released on $750,000 bond during a hearing this week in U.S. District Court in Bridgeport.
The bond was secured, according to the document, by properties owned by his mother and his girlfriend. Mansa was released on home confinement and into his mother's custody at her home.
Conditions of Mansa's release include electronic monitoring and counseling as deemed appropriate by the probation department, document show. He is also barred from leaving the state and was required to surrender his passport.
The hearing this week was Mansa's third attempt to be released from federal custody while the case against him is pending.
According to court documents, Mark Mansa, 46, who was arrested on conspiracy charges in late February, was released on $750,000 bond during a hearing this week in U.S. District Court in Bridgeport.
The bond was secured, according to the document, by properties owned by his mother and his girlfriend. Mansa was released on home confinement and into his mother's custody at her home.
Conditions of Mansa's release include electronic monitoring and counseling as deemed appropriate by the probation department, document show. He is also barred from leaving the state and was required to surrender his passport.
The hearing this week was Mansa's third attempt to be released from federal custody while the case against him is pending.
Canadian bodybuilder and Project Newton target out on bail.
One of the key figures in a major Hamilton methamphetamine and anabolic steroid bust has been released on $100,000 bail.
Reiner Ruska, 34, was released Friday by Justice of the Peace Barbara Waugh but placed on strict conditions. The powerfully built well-known bodybuilder, who owns and operates Herc’s Nutrition store on Upper James as well as Fitness Nutrition in Grimsby, faces 18 charges in connection with the police investigation.
Ruska was ordered to reside at the Hildegard Drive home of his mother Jeselina, a registered nurse, and cannot leave the home unless in the presence of his mother or her friend Joann Swanson.
Ruska was ordered not to possess drugs or alcohol, have no contact with the other co-accused except for his brother, not to possess a cell phone or pager, and to surrender his passport to Hamilton police.
He was ordered to return to court June 8.
Ruska, a champion bodybuilder, was the main target of Project Newton, an 18-month multi-police-agency investigation that concluded this week with raids on homes and businesses in nine different municipalities and the arrest of 21 people.
Police found 26 kilograms of methamphetamine, known as crystal meth, worth $3 million on the streets, along with $1 million worth of anabolic steroids. They also seized $140,000 in cash, a number of luxury cars and the house where Ruska was living on Craigroyston Road in east Hamilton. The home belongs to his fiancée Carla Rao, who is among the 21 people charged with drug related offences in connection to the raids.
Police said Project Newton broke up a loose-knit group of people in the bodybuilding community who had been peddling steroids, crystal meth and other drugs.
A Hamilton police officer was also charged as a result of the investigation. Constable Andrew Pauls was charged with breach of trust on Thursday for allegedly leaking information to Ruska obtained from confidential police computer files. In an unrelated investigation, Pauls is charged with stealing powerful painkillers from a police evidence locker.
Ruska, who worn a dark long-sleeved shirt and sported short-cropped dark hair, was represented by Hamilton criminal lawyer Paola Konge. Bail was opposed by federal prosecutor Bradley Reitz.
A publication ban was placed on the evidence heard in the proceedings.
Reitz said outside of court that all but three of the 21 charged in Project Newton have received bail. Two others, Justin Bernard and Trevor Armstrong, are slated to appear Monday. The Crown plans to oppose bail for Bernard. A third, Martin Sukan, of Burlington will appear April 27.
The majority of the accused are schedule to make their next court appearance June 8.
Reitz said the crown also opposed bail for accused Hung Chuang Ing of Mississauga. He was released on $100,000 bail Thursday.
At Ruska’s Fitness Nutrition store in Grimsby, staff said they were shocked over the allegations against their boss.
“This is having a impact on our business,” said manager Adam Kelly. “People are staring at the store like it’s a tourist attraction.”
Kelly said the case paints the whole bodybuilding community in a bad light. “This is a legitimate business but now I’m wondering if this place is going to shut down and am I out of a job.”
Reiner Ruska, 34, was released Friday by Justice of the Peace Barbara Waugh but placed on strict conditions. The powerfully built well-known bodybuilder, who owns and operates Herc’s Nutrition store on Upper James as well as Fitness Nutrition in Grimsby, faces 18 charges in connection with the police investigation.
Ruska was ordered to reside at the Hildegard Drive home of his mother Jeselina, a registered nurse, and cannot leave the home unless in the presence of his mother or her friend Joann Swanson.
Ruska was ordered not to possess drugs or alcohol, have no contact with the other co-accused except for his brother, not to possess a cell phone or pager, and to surrender his passport to Hamilton police.
He was ordered to return to court June 8.
Ruska, a champion bodybuilder, was the main target of Project Newton, an 18-month multi-police-agency investigation that concluded this week with raids on homes and businesses in nine different municipalities and the arrest of 21 people.
Police found 26 kilograms of methamphetamine, known as crystal meth, worth $3 million on the streets, along with $1 million worth of anabolic steroids. They also seized $140,000 in cash, a number of luxury cars and the house where Ruska was living on Craigroyston Road in east Hamilton. The home belongs to his fiancée Carla Rao, who is among the 21 people charged with drug related offences in connection to the raids.
Police said Project Newton broke up a loose-knit group of people in the bodybuilding community who had been peddling steroids, crystal meth and other drugs.
A Hamilton police officer was also charged as a result of the investigation. Constable Andrew Pauls was charged with breach of trust on Thursday for allegedly leaking information to Ruska obtained from confidential police computer files. In an unrelated investigation, Pauls is charged with stealing powerful painkillers from a police evidence locker.
Ruska, who worn a dark long-sleeved shirt and sported short-cropped dark hair, was represented by Hamilton criminal lawyer Paola Konge. Bail was opposed by federal prosecutor Bradley Reitz.
A publication ban was placed on the evidence heard in the proceedings.
Reitz said outside of court that all but three of the 21 charged in Project Newton have received bail. Two others, Justin Bernard and Trevor Armstrong, are slated to appear Monday. The Crown plans to oppose bail for Bernard. A third, Martin Sukan, of Burlington will appear April 27.
The majority of the accused are schedule to make their next court appearance June 8.
Reitz said the crown also opposed bail for accused Hung Chuang Ing of Mississauga. He was released on $100,000 bail Thursday.
At Ruska’s Fitness Nutrition store in Grimsby, staff said they were shocked over the allegations against their boss.
“This is having a impact on our business,” said manager Adam Kelly. “People are staring at the store like it’s a tourist attraction.”
Kelly said the case paints the whole bodybuilding community in a bad light. “This is a legitimate business but now I’m wondering if this place is going to shut down and am I out of a job.”
Probation for former jail guard's part in steroids ring.
A former Northampton County corrections officer pleaded guilty Monday to illegal drug possession for his role in a steroid ring that was busted by the state attorney general's office in two phases.
Like all others charged by an investigating statewide grand jury in the second phase of Operation Road Runner, Brian Potance received probation.
The second phase of the probe netted smaller alleged steroid dealers than the first, resulting in lighter sentences, according to Nils Frederiksen, a spokesman for the attorney general's office.
Potance, of Bethlehem, pleaded guilty Monday — his 27th birthday — to two misdemeanor counts of possession of a controlled substance. He was immediately fined $1,000 and placed on two years' probation by Lehigh County Judge Robert L. Steinberg.
In return for his plea, felony drug delivery charges were dropped.
Potance stopped working for Northampton County Prison in August, the month he was charged, according to Robert Meyers, the county's director of corrections. When asked if the arrest led to Potance's dismissal, Meyers said, "I can't really discuss that. It's a personnel issue."
Potance was one of six people arrested in August and charged with selling steroids. Of those six, only one, Craig Johnson, still has an unresolved case. Johnson, a promoter for Lehigh Valley NPC who at one time was in charge of the bodybuilding competition at SportsFest, has a hearing scheduled for May.
All five other alleged steroid sellers charged in the second phase of the operation were also placed on probation, according to Lehigh County court records.
Edward Moyzan, 38, of Nazareth pleaded guilty in December to two counts of possession with intent to deliver steroids and a conspiracy charge and was fined $1,000 and placed on two years' probation.
The following people pleaded guilty in January to delivery charges and were fined $500 and placed on two years' probation: Brian Chamberlain, 36, of West Chester, Chester County; Frank Peters, 34, of Ambler, Montgomery County; and Angela Girondo, 50, of Ambler.
Frederiksen said probation is within the standard range for the crimes the defendants pleaded guilty to. He said those arrested in phase one generally handled larger quantities of steroids and some received prison time.
The first phase of Operation Road Runner led to 10 arrests in November 2009.
According to a state grand jury:
A confidential informant in August and September 2009 bought more than $1,000 worth of steroids from Johnson at his business, Top Physique Nutrition and Promotions, 725 N. 15th St., Allentown. Johnson told the informant the steroids were supplied by Moyzan, who did not want to deal directly with the buyer.
After the informant gave Johnson money, Moyzan would collect the money. Moyzan later told investigators he bought steroids from Potance, who said he bought them online.
The second phase of the operation led to seizure of 300 bottles of steroids and more than 2,300 pills.
Like all others charged by an investigating statewide grand jury in the second phase of Operation Road Runner, Brian Potance received probation.
The second phase of the probe netted smaller alleged steroid dealers than the first, resulting in lighter sentences, according to Nils Frederiksen, a spokesman for the attorney general's office.
Potance, of Bethlehem, pleaded guilty Monday — his 27th birthday — to two misdemeanor counts of possession of a controlled substance. He was immediately fined $1,000 and placed on two years' probation by Lehigh County Judge Robert L. Steinberg.
In return for his plea, felony drug delivery charges were dropped.
Potance stopped working for Northampton County Prison in August, the month he was charged, according to Robert Meyers, the county's director of corrections. When asked if the arrest led to Potance's dismissal, Meyers said, "I can't really discuss that. It's a personnel issue."
Potance was one of six people arrested in August and charged with selling steroids. Of those six, only one, Craig Johnson, still has an unresolved case. Johnson, a promoter for Lehigh Valley NPC who at one time was in charge of the bodybuilding competition at SportsFest, has a hearing scheduled for May.
All five other alleged steroid sellers charged in the second phase of the operation were also placed on probation, according to Lehigh County court records.
Edward Moyzan, 38, of Nazareth pleaded guilty in December to two counts of possession with intent to deliver steroids and a conspiracy charge and was fined $1,000 and placed on two years' probation.
The following people pleaded guilty in January to delivery charges and were fined $500 and placed on two years' probation: Brian Chamberlain, 36, of West Chester, Chester County; Frank Peters, 34, of Ambler, Montgomery County; and Angela Girondo, 50, of Ambler.
Frederiksen said probation is within the standard range for the crimes the defendants pleaded guilty to. He said those arrested in phase one generally handled larger quantities of steroids and some received prison time.
The first phase of Operation Road Runner led to 10 arrests in November 2009.
According to a state grand jury:
A confidential informant in August and September 2009 bought more than $1,000 worth of steroids from Johnson at his business, Top Physique Nutrition and Promotions, 725 N. 15th St., Allentown. Johnson told the informant the steroids were supplied by Moyzan, who did not want to deal directly with the buyer.
After the informant gave Johnson money, Moyzan would collect the money. Moyzan later told investigators he bought steroids from Potance, who said he bought them online.
The second phase of the operation led to seizure of 300 bottles of steroids and more than 2,300 pills.
West Shore health club owner to be sentenced after his Operation Roid Runner arrest.
When Eric Garonzik goes before a Dauphin County judge to be sentenced in a steroids possession case Monday, he’ll be eyeing not at an end, but a new beginning, his lawyer said.
The ex-cop, bodybuilder and former West Shore health club owner expects to be sentenced to a stint in county prison, followed by probation, defense attorney Bryan S. Walk said.
Then, Walk said, Garonzik plans to try to rebuild his career in the physical fitness field.
"He has been in that field all of his life," Walk said Friday. "He’s going to stay involved somewhere in the fitness industry. It’s what he knows."
Garonzik, 40, of Lower Allen Twp., is scheduled to appear before Judge John F. Cherry because late last month he pleaded guilty to multiple charges of dealing illegally in steroids.
It is not his first conviction relating to performance-enhancing drugs.
Garonzik, a former part-time police officer in Tower City, Schuylkill County, served a prison term in Lehigh County in 2003 after pleading guilty to steroid possession and conspiracy.
The latest steroid-related charges stem from his November 2009 arrest in a bust the state attorney general’s office dubbed "Operation Roid Runner."
Ten people, four of them from the midstate and the rest from Lehigh County, were charged after a two-year investigation. Among those arrested was Garonzik’s ex-wife, Stacy, 40, of Shiremanstown, another former body-builder.
Authorities claimed the Garonziks, who ran the now-closed Kinetics gym in Lemoyne, illegally sold solid and liquid steroids obtained from China, Panama and Mexico.
Stacy Garonzik also is accused of injecting clients with steroids. Her case is still pending in Dauphin County Court.
Walk said Eric Garonzik was prepared to fight the allegations against him and to challenge the credibility of prosecution witnesses, Walk said, but also had to weigh the risk of facing a state prison had he been convicted.
He said Eric Garonzik decided a plea agreement struck with the attorney general’s office was the better option.
Walk declined to elaborate on the terms of that agreement prior to sentencing. He said it is expected that Eric Garonzik, who has been free on bail, will be allowed to serve his time in the prison work-release program, followed by several years of probation.
"Eric decided to plead because he wanted to get [the criminal case] over with," Walk said. "He’s trying to get his life back in order."
While Eric Garonzik does admit to using steroids years ago for body-building, he is clean now and wasn’t using the substances when he and his ex-wife were arrested 17 months ago, Walk said.
"They didn’t catch Eric or Stacy with even one ounce of steroids," he said. "Anything Eric did with steroids is a thing of the past."
In addition to his 2003 steroid conviction, Eric Garonzik served jail terms in Cumberland County in 2004 and 2006 for a disorderly conduct case and an assault incident, respectively.
Court records show two criminal cases unrelated to the steroid charges are still pending against Eric Garonzik in Cumberland and Dauphin counties.
The Cumberland case involves simple assault and harassment charges filed last month by West Shore Regional Police. The other case deals with a traffic violation and a fleeing police charge filed in December by Harrisburg police.
The other three local men charged in Operation Roid Runner already have pleaded guilty and been sentenced by Dauphin County judges, according to court records.
Joel France, 43, of Harrisburg, was sentenced to 36 months probation in May and Christopher Levan, 37, of New Cumberland received a 24-month probation term in August.
In January, Robert Greynolds, 30, of Middletown, was sentenced to 24 months of intermediate punishment which started with one month in the county prison’s work-release center, followed by 6 months of house arrest.
The ex-cop, bodybuilder and former West Shore health club owner expects to be sentenced to a stint in county prison, followed by probation, defense attorney Bryan S. Walk said.
Then, Walk said, Garonzik plans to try to rebuild his career in the physical fitness field.
"He has been in that field all of his life," Walk said Friday. "He’s going to stay involved somewhere in the fitness industry. It’s what he knows."
Garonzik, 40, of Lower Allen Twp., is scheduled to appear before Judge John F. Cherry because late last month he pleaded guilty to multiple charges of dealing illegally in steroids.
It is not his first conviction relating to performance-enhancing drugs.
Garonzik, a former part-time police officer in Tower City, Schuylkill County, served a prison term in Lehigh County in 2003 after pleading guilty to steroid possession and conspiracy.
The latest steroid-related charges stem from his November 2009 arrest in a bust the state attorney general’s office dubbed "Operation Roid Runner."
Ten people, four of them from the midstate and the rest from Lehigh County, were charged after a two-year investigation. Among those arrested was Garonzik’s ex-wife, Stacy, 40, of Shiremanstown, another former body-builder.
Authorities claimed the Garonziks, who ran the now-closed Kinetics gym in Lemoyne, illegally sold solid and liquid steroids obtained from China, Panama and Mexico.
Stacy Garonzik also is accused of injecting clients with steroids. Her case is still pending in Dauphin County Court.
Walk said Eric Garonzik was prepared to fight the allegations against him and to challenge the credibility of prosecution witnesses, Walk said, but also had to weigh the risk of facing a state prison had he been convicted.
He said Eric Garonzik decided a plea agreement struck with the attorney general’s office was the better option.
Walk declined to elaborate on the terms of that agreement prior to sentencing. He said it is expected that Eric Garonzik, who has been free on bail, will be allowed to serve his time in the prison work-release program, followed by several years of probation.
"Eric decided to plead because he wanted to get [the criminal case] over with," Walk said. "He’s trying to get his life back in order."
While Eric Garonzik does admit to using steroids years ago for body-building, he is clean now and wasn’t using the substances when he and his ex-wife were arrested 17 months ago, Walk said.
"They didn’t catch Eric or Stacy with even one ounce of steroids," he said. "Anything Eric did with steroids is a thing of the past."
In addition to his 2003 steroid conviction, Eric Garonzik served jail terms in Cumberland County in 2004 and 2006 for a disorderly conduct case and an assault incident, respectively.
Court records show two criminal cases unrelated to the steroid charges are still pending against Eric Garonzik in Cumberland and Dauphin counties.
The Cumberland case involves simple assault and harassment charges filed last month by West Shore Regional Police. The other case deals with a traffic violation and a fleeing police charge filed in December by Harrisburg police.
The other three local men charged in Operation Roid Runner already have pleaded guilty and been sentenced by Dauphin County judges, according to court records.
Joel France, 43, of Harrisburg, was sentenced to 36 months probation in May and Christopher Levan, 37, of New Cumberland received a 24-month probation term in August.
In January, Robert Greynolds, 30, of Middletown, was sentenced to 24 months of intermediate punishment which started with one month in the county prison’s work-release center, followed by 6 months of house arrest.
Gyms in Abu Dhabi raided for steroids.
The Municipality of Abu Dhabi recently confiscated a large quantity of steroids and other banned drugs found during random inspections made at health clubs and fitness centres in the capital, a statement sent by the municipality announced yesterday.
The seized drugs, which included hormone drugs and unlicensed steroids, have been sent to the Health Authority Abu Dhabi (HAAD) to assess the level of risk they pose to public health and safety, the statement said.
Steroids are known to increase the risk of cardiovascular and liver disease. This risk is compounded because these drugs are often injected with the help of unsterilised syringes, which can subsequently cause HIV, hepatitis C and bacterial infections in the user.
Since the organisations from which the banned items were seized were only licensed as fitness centres, the municipal statement said that the centres were also at fault of practising unlicensed activities within their premises.
Khalifa Al Rumaithi, director of public health at the municipality, urged all residents and especially youngsters to abstain from using steroids and other drugs without an accompanying medical prescription.
"The municipality will continue to raise awareness about the risk of using such items, as well as take legal action against any violators. We therefore urge the public to report any fitness centres or suppliers of steroids that they come across," Al Rumaithi said.
North Naples woman re-arrested on steroid charges.
A North Naples woman was arrested and charged with two counts of steroid possession on Tuesday, roughly three months after deputies raided the home she shared with her fitness trainer husband.
Veronica Daniela Troemner, 29, of 5440 Teak Wood Drive, was arrested by Collier deputies in the 3000 block of U.S. 41 E. She was charged with two counts of possession of steroids, a felony. Following Troemner’s January arrest, the steroid charges were pending tests by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
In January, Troemner was arrested along with her husband, Nicholas Munson Troemner, 28, a trainer at Lifestyle Family Fitness Center. Deputies reported seizing $20,000 worth of suspected steroids from their home, as well as marijuana and firearms.
At the time, Nicholas Troemner was charged with possession of marijuana with intent to sell, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and failure to register as a convicted felon, among other charges. After tests were completed on the suspected steroids earlier this month, Nicholas Troemner was re-arrested and charged with possession of anabolic steroids with intent to sell and with eight counts of possession of anabolic steroids.
Veronica Troemner initially faced charges of possession of marijuana over 20 grams and possession of narcotic paraphernalia. A search of the couple’s residence turned up more than 200 vials of suspected anabolic steroids. The report of Veronica Troemner’s arrest on Tuesday noted that two of those vials were found in a bedroom dresser, under feminine undergarments — accounting for the two counts of possession against her.
Veronica Daniela Troemner, 29, of 5440 Teak Wood Drive, was arrested by Collier deputies in the 3000 block of U.S. 41 E. She was charged with two counts of possession of steroids, a felony. Following Troemner’s January arrest, the steroid charges were pending tests by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
In January, Troemner was arrested along with her husband, Nicholas Munson Troemner, 28, a trainer at Lifestyle Family Fitness Center. Deputies reported seizing $20,000 worth of suspected steroids from their home, as well as marijuana and firearms.
At the time, Nicholas Troemner was charged with possession of marijuana with intent to sell, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and failure to register as a convicted felon, among other charges. After tests were completed on the suspected steroids earlier this month, Nicholas Troemner was re-arrested and charged with possession of anabolic steroids with intent to sell and with eight counts of possession of anabolic steroids.
Veronica Troemner initially faced charges of possession of marijuana over 20 grams and possession of narcotic paraphernalia. A search of the couple’s residence turned up more than 200 vials of suspected anabolic steroids. The report of Veronica Troemner’s arrest on Tuesday noted that two of those vials were found in a bedroom dresser, under feminine undergarments — accounting for the two counts of possession against her.
Hulk Hogan mentions steroids in his new book "My life outside the ring".
I loved little details, like this description of living with Beefcake, and working together in a Tampa bar. "After working out and running the gym all day, Brutus and I had a pretty standard routine. We'd open up the bar and get everything settled, and then we'd come back and watch David Letterman's Late Night show. Man, we laughed our asses off. While we watched, we'd drink these power shakes. I'd take the most fattening protein there was, called Metabol, and dump it in a blender with half a cube of vanilla Haagen-Dazs ice cream, a banana, and two huge wads of peanut butter. Probably the most fattening shit you can eat. We'd drink two blenders of that crap, watch Letterman, then go back to the bar and stay until closing at 4:00 a.m."
And in this autobiography, he comes clean about steroid use, and it's obvious that a surprising amount of introspection went into the text.
"It's also weird to think about the fact that I was doing all of this -- and the steroids -- while telling all of my young fans week after week, 'Train, say your prayers, and take your vitamins.' That line was like my own Bob Barker catchphrase. I threw that sentiment out into the world day after day. Not that there's anything wrong with that message. It's a great message. It was just a little bit hypocritical that my activities behind the scenes didn't match the role-model persona I was putting out there," Hogan writes. "I'm glad I did it, though. Putting that kind of positive message out there to millions of kids is one of the least self-centered things I did in all those years. I put it right up there with visiting kids for the Make-A-Wish Foundation and other charity work I did. Throwing that kind of positive vibe out into the universe can only bring positive things in return."
And in this autobiography, he comes clean about steroid use, and it's obvious that a surprising amount of introspection went into the text.
"It's also weird to think about the fact that I was doing all of this -- and the steroids -- while telling all of my young fans week after week, 'Train, say your prayers, and take your vitamins.' That line was like my own Bob Barker catchphrase. I threw that sentiment out into the world day after day. Not that there's anything wrong with that message. It's a great message. It was just a little bit hypocritical that my activities behind the scenes didn't match the role-model persona I was putting out there," Hogan writes. "I'm glad I did it, though. Putting that kind of positive message out there to millions of kids is one of the least self-centered things I did in all those years. I put it right up there with visiting kids for the Make-A-Wish Foundation and other charity work I did. Throwing that kind of positive vibe out into the universe can only bring positive things in return."
Fish oil makes Tamoxifen work better.
A US study on rats found that tumours became more responsive to the drug tamoxifen with the addition of fish oil to their diets.
Researchers concluded that omega-3 fatty acids found in the fish oil could prove to be a safe and beneficial booster for tamoxifen therapy.
Tamoxifen blocks the female hormone oestrogen's ability to fuel breast cancer.
Rats with breast cancer were fed either a 17% fish oil diet or a 20% corn oil diet for eight weeks. In each case the oil supplement was given with or without tamoxifen.
Analysis of the tumours showed that omega-3 fatty acids in the fish oil increased the activity of genes promoting cellular specialisation, or differentiation.
This indicates an anti-cancer effect, since cancer cells are highly undifferentiated.
Combining fish oil and tamoxifen also reduced the activity of genes linked to tumour growth and cancer spread.
Study leader Dr Jose Russo, director of the Breast Cancer Research Laboratory at Fox Chase Cancer Center Philadelphia, said: "If a tumour was being treated with tamoxifen, the addition of an omega-3 fatty acid diet seemed to make the tumour, at least at the molecular level, more benign and less aggressive and responsive to tamoxifen."
The findings were presented at the annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research in Orlando, Florida.
Researchers concluded that omega-3 fatty acids found in the fish oil could prove to be a safe and beneficial booster for tamoxifen therapy.
Tamoxifen blocks the female hormone oestrogen's ability to fuel breast cancer.
Rats with breast cancer were fed either a 17% fish oil diet or a 20% corn oil diet for eight weeks. In each case the oil supplement was given with or without tamoxifen.
Analysis of the tumours showed that omega-3 fatty acids in the fish oil increased the activity of genes promoting cellular specialisation, or differentiation.
This indicates an anti-cancer effect, since cancer cells are highly undifferentiated.
Combining fish oil and tamoxifen also reduced the activity of genes linked to tumour growth and cancer spread.
Study leader Dr Jose Russo, director of the Breast Cancer Research Laboratory at Fox Chase Cancer Center Philadelphia, said: "If a tumour was being treated with tamoxifen, the addition of an omega-3 fatty acid diet seemed to make the tumour, at least at the molecular level, more benign and less aggressive and responsive to tamoxifen."
The findings were presented at the annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research in Orlando, Florida.
Weekly growth hormone works well in human trials.
Weekly growth hormone replacement with an investigational, sustained-release formulation significantly reduced fat mass after 6 months and was well tolerated by adults with growth hormone deficiency, researchers found.
A 6-month study was conducted to evaluate the safety and efficacy of LB03002, a recently developed recombinant human GH formulation. The long-acting GH was developed for once-weekly administration by subcutaneous injection.
The study included 152 adults with GH deficiency who were randomly assigned to LB03002 or placebo once a week for 26 weeks. The researchers assessed changes in body composition, insulin-like growth factor I, adverse events, glucose homeostasis and antibody development.
According to the results, adults assigned to the LB03002 formulation experienced a significant increase in IGF-I (P<.001), whereas those assigned placebo experienced no change.
Mean fat mass decreased by 1 kg in the LB03002 group (95% CI, –1.614 to –0.491) but increased by 0.5 kg in the placebo group (95% CI, –0.205 to 1.345); the treatment difference was 1.622 kg (95% CI, –2.527 to 0.717). The researchers said the change in fat mass with LB03002 was primarily related to decreased trunk fat. LB03002 was also associated with positive effects on lean body mass; it increased significantly in the GH group vs. placebo (least square mean difference, 1.393; 95% CI, 0.614-2.171).
The researchers found “no concerning safety issues” related to LB03002 during the 6-month study.
“This study has provided evidence that GH replacement in adult patients with GH [deficiency] can be successful with the once-weekly sustained-release formulation,” the researchers concluded.
GH has to be given daily by subcutaneous injection. Treatment periods are always for several years, both in childhood and in adulthood. Therefore, compliance is often poor, contributing to poor outcome.
LB03002 is a new, sustained-release formulation of GH consisting of microparticles containing GH incorporated into hyaluronate and dispersed in an oil base of medium-chain triglycerides. In a recently published double blind, placebo-controlled study of adults with GH deficiency, an international group of investigators showed comparable responses of subcutaneously injected sustained-release GH given once a week, in terms of body composition. Mean fat mass reduction was mainly due to decreased trunk fat and lean body mass was significantly increased vs. placebo, thereby fulfilling the primary endpoint of the study. Patients showed a 1-kg decrease in fat mass and a 2-kg increase in lean body mass. Lipid parameters were not statistically different. No concerning safety issues arose during the 6-month study.
A 6-month study was conducted to evaluate the safety and efficacy of LB03002, a recently developed recombinant human GH formulation. The long-acting GH was developed for once-weekly administration by subcutaneous injection.
The study included 152 adults with GH deficiency who were randomly assigned to LB03002 or placebo once a week for 26 weeks. The researchers assessed changes in body composition, insulin-like growth factor I, adverse events, glucose homeostasis and antibody development.
According to the results, adults assigned to the LB03002 formulation experienced a significant increase in IGF-I (P<.001), whereas those assigned placebo experienced no change.
Mean fat mass decreased by 1 kg in the LB03002 group (95% CI, –1.614 to –0.491) but increased by 0.5 kg in the placebo group (95% CI, –0.205 to 1.345); the treatment difference was 1.622 kg (95% CI, –2.527 to 0.717). The researchers said the change in fat mass with LB03002 was primarily related to decreased trunk fat. LB03002 was also associated with positive effects on lean body mass; it increased significantly in the GH group vs. placebo (least square mean difference, 1.393; 95% CI, 0.614-2.171).
The researchers found “no concerning safety issues” related to LB03002 during the 6-month study.
“This study has provided evidence that GH replacement in adult patients with GH [deficiency] can be successful with the once-weekly sustained-release formulation,” the researchers concluded.
GH has to be given daily by subcutaneous injection. Treatment periods are always for several years, both in childhood and in adulthood. Therefore, compliance is often poor, contributing to poor outcome.
LB03002 is a new, sustained-release formulation of GH consisting of microparticles containing GH incorporated into hyaluronate and dispersed in an oil base of medium-chain triglycerides. In a recently published double blind, placebo-controlled study of adults with GH deficiency, an international group of investigators showed comparable responses of subcutaneously injected sustained-release GH given once a week, in terms of body composition. Mean fat mass reduction was mainly due to decreased trunk fat and lean body mass was significantly increased vs. placebo, thereby fulfilling the primary endpoint of the study. Patients showed a 1-kg decrease in fat mass and a 2-kg increase in lean body mass. Lipid parameters were not statistically different. No concerning safety issues arose during the 6-month study.
DEA claims China still the number one manufacturer of steroids.
Anabolic steroids are illegal. Possessing them, or selling them, can land you in jail. But buying them?
Just do a search on your computer for "steroids" and "China" and get a credit card ready. Your supplier is online.
"They come from China, from the United Kingdom, from Germany and eastern Europe," said Rusty Payne, a spokesman for the federal Drug Enforcement Administration. "But most of them come from China."
"Virtually all of it today is coming from China," said Don Hooten, president of the Taylor Hooten Foundation, a Texas-based organization dedicated to educating young people about the danger of steroids.
The stuff sold on local markets is not what star athletes get from fancy laboratories.
Instead it is of dubious quality, often mixed and packaged at dealers' homes. If there's lead or arsenic in the stuff China ships, then so be it.
"It's a seedy, bad business," Payne said.
And yet people are using anabolic steroids -- weekend athletes and hard-core jocks alike, Hooten said.
Many are teenagers trying to improve their standing on a high school team. But even more often, it's the so-called "mirror athletes" -- young men and women who use it to tone their physiques, he said.
Police officers and firefighters -- wanting to be stronger -- are users as well, he said.
"Yes, yes, yes," said Hooten, whose son Taylor committed suicide after using anabolic steroids. "We hear about that all the time."
Suspicion of steroid use in the Danbury area was kindled by the arrest of Mark Mansa, of Bethel, last month.
Federal authorities claim Mansa was part of a drug ring that moved more than 1,000 pounds of marijuana through the region.
But for seven years Mansa was allegedly selling what prosecutors called a "significant" amount of steroids as well.
That would imply some people were buying.
Chip Salvestrini Jr., the former director of athletics at Danbury and Ridgefield schools who now serves as athletic director for the city of White Plains, N.Y., said it is pointless to deny that people use illegal steroids.
High school coaches who do so are in denial, he said.
"It's like saying students don't use alcohol or smoke cigarettes," Salvestrini said. "It is around, but we just don't know how much or where. Nobody knows that."
But the DEA has tracked the China-steroid connection, most notably in 2007, the year before the Beijing Olympics.
In a sweep called Operation Raw Deal, the DEA broke up more than 50 steroid laboratories in the U.S. -- the largest anabolic steroid operation in the DEA's history.
That investigation found laboratories in the U.S., Mexico and Canada were getting their raw materials from Chinese suppliers.
Payne said rather than the vials of steroids that users inject, the product from China comes in a dry powder. It then gets mixed with oil, put in vials and sold illicitly.
The "labs" where the mixing gets done, Payne said, are sinks and bathtubs. There's no guarantee of sanitary conditions.
And the oil can be anything on hand.
"It can be Wesson oil, peanut oil, sesame oil," Hooten said. "We found it mixed with motor oil on the West Coast."
And, he said, there are no federal regulators in China to make sure the anabolic steroids materials meet some official seal of approval.
"There's one study that showed 21 percent of what was sold from China had lead, mercury, tin or arsenic in it," Hooten said.
"It's Russian roulette," said Payne of the DEA.
He said the U.S. government is still watching the anabolic steroid trade. Anyone buying steroids online, he said, should be aware that a government sting operation could be in place.
But Payne also acknowledged it's impossible for law enforcement agencies to keep tabs on all the websites and all the buyers.
"The Internet is a blessing," Payne said. "But unfortunately in cases like this, it can be a curse."
Just do a search on your computer for "steroids" and "China" and get a credit card ready. Your supplier is online.
"They come from China, from the United Kingdom, from Germany and eastern Europe," said Rusty Payne, a spokesman for the federal Drug Enforcement Administration. "But most of them come from China."
"Virtually all of it today is coming from China," said Don Hooten, president of the Taylor Hooten Foundation, a Texas-based organization dedicated to educating young people about the danger of steroids.
The stuff sold on local markets is not what star athletes get from fancy laboratories.
Instead it is of dubious quality, often mixed and packaged at dealers' homes. If there's lead or arsenic in the stuff China ships, then so be it.
"It's a seedy, bad business," Payne said.
And yet people are using anabolic steroids -- weekend athletes and hard-core jocks alike, Hooten said.
Many are teenagers trying to improve their standing on a high school team. But even more often, it's the so-called "mirror athletes" -- young men and women who use it to tone their physiques, he said.
Police officers and firefighters -- wanting to be stronger -- are users as well, he said.
"Yes, yes, yes," said Hooten, whose son Taylor committed suicide after using anabolic steroids. "We hear about that all the time."
Suspicion of steroid use in the Danbury area was kindled by the arrest of Mark Mansa, of Bethel, last month.
Federal authorities claim Mansa was part of a drug ring that moved more than 1,000 pounds of marijuana through the region.
But for seven years Mansa was allegedly selling what prosecutors called a "significant" amount of steroids as well.
That would imply some people were buying.
Chip Salvestrini Jr., the former director of athletics at Danbury and Ridgefield schools who now serves as athletic director for the city of White Plains, N.Y., said it is pointless to deny that people use illegal steroids.
High school coaches who do so are in denial, he said.
"It's like saying students don't use alcohol or smoke cigarettes," Salvestrini said. "It is around, but we just don't know how much or where. Nobody knows that."
But the DEA has tracked the China-steroid connection, most notably in 2007, the year before the Beijing Olympics.
In a sweep called Operation Raw Deal, the DEA broke up more than 50 steroid laboratories in the U.S. -- the largest anabolic steroid operation in the DEA's history.
That investigation found laboratories in the U.S., Mexico and Canada were getting their raw materials from Chinese suppliers.
Payne said rather than the vials of steroids that users inject, the product from China comes in a dry powder. It then gets mixed with oil, put in vials and sold illicitly.
The "labs" where the mixing gets done, Payne said, are sinks and bathtubs. There's no guarantee of sanitary conditions.
And the oil can be anything on hand.
"It can be Wesson oil, peanut oil, sesame oil," Hooten said. "We found it mixed with motor oil on the West Coast."
And, he said, there are no federal regulators in China to make sure the anabolic steroids materials meet some official seal of approval.
"There's one study that showed 21 percent of what was sold from China had lead, mercury, tin or arsenic in it," Hooten said.
"It's Russian roulette," said Payne of the DEA.
He said the U.S. government is still watching the anabolic steroid trade. Anyone buying steroids online, he said, should be aware that a government sting operation could be in place.
But Payne also acknowledged it's impossible for law enforcement agencies to keep tabs on all the websites and all the buyers.
"The Internet is a blessing," Payne said. "But unfortunately in cases like this, it can be a curse."
Australian traffic stop leads to seizure of 1000 vials of steroids and a gun.
Police have found more than 1000 vials of steroids and a loaded pistol after stopping two cars in Sydney's south.
Detectives arrested three people after a Magna and a Mercedes-Benz sedan were stopped in Wolli Creek at 12.25pm (AEST) today.
The drugs allegedly were found in the Mercedes and the .357-magnum pistol in the Magna.
The three arrested men have been charged with supplying and possessing a restricted substance.
A 52-year-old man from Mordialloc, in Victoria, and a 35-year-old man from Turrella ave been refused bail and are due to appear in Kogarah Local Court tomorrow.
A 28-year-old Rockdale man has been bailed to appear at Kogarah Local Court on May 3.
Detectives arrested three people after a Magna and a Mercedes-Benz sedan were stopped in Wolli Creek at 12.25pm (AEST) today.
The drugs allegedly were found in the Mercedes and the .357-magnum pistol in the Magna.
The three arrested men have been charged with supplying and possessing a restricted substance.
A 52-year-old man from Mordialloc, in Victoria, and a 35-year-old man from Turrella ave been refused bail and are due to appear in Kogarah Local Court tomorrow.
A 28-year-old Rockdale man has been bailed to appear at Kogarah Local Court on May 3.
Australian customs does controlled delivery of wine bottle full of nandrolone.
Police customs and border protection officers have seized a quantity of steroids posted to a man in Karratha.
Police say officers at the international mail centre in Perth found found 750 ml of liquid nandrolone in a bottle of wine.
They raided a home in Karratha where it is alleged they found methylamphetamine, ecstasy and ammunition.
A 51 year-old man has been charged with possessing a prohibited drug with the intent to sell or supply and possessing unlicensed ammunition.
He is due to appear in the Karratha Magistrate's Court on 3 May.
Police say officers at the international mail centre in Perth found found 750 ml of liquid nandrolone in a bottle of wine.
They raided a home in Karratha where it is alleged they found methylamphetamine, ecstasy and ammunition.
A 51 year-old man has been charged with possessing a prohibited drug with the intent to sell or supply and possessing unlicensed ammunition.
He is due to appear in the Karratha Magistrate's Court on 3 May.
Scientists hope to prove estrogen is the real cause of roid rage.
Now, Thomas Hildebrandt's team at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York are conducting the first longitudinal study of anabolic steroid users. By monitoring participants before, during and after cycles of steroid use, the group hopes to work out how the drugs exert their effects and how long these might last.
Once injected or swallowed, anabolic steroids are broken down into either androgen or oestrogen. The group's preliminary results suggest that the amount and rate of breakdown varies between individuals and that the ratio of the two hormones may predict which users develop aggressive behaviours. Those with more oestrogen than androgen appear more likely to exhibit aggression.
Hildebrandt reckons steroid users could have a blood test to find out how likely they are to experience roid rage. Altered levels of androgen and oestrogen would be evident within the first couple of weeks of a three-to-six-month cycle of steroid use. Controversially, Hildebrandt also suggests that a drug that blocks the conversion of steroid to oestrogen could be taken to help suppress the aggressive side effects. These kinds of drugs - called aromatase inhibitors - are already prescribed to people who need to keep their oestrogen levels low, such as those with breast cancer.
Once injected or swallowed, anabolic steroids are broken down into either androgen or oestrogen. The group's preliminary results suggest that the amount and rate of breakdown varies between individuals and that the ratio of the two hormones may predict which users develop aggressive behaviours. Those with more oestrogen than androgen appear more likely to exhibit aggression.
Hildebrandt reckons steroid users could have a blood test to find out how likely they are to experience roid rage. Altered levels of androgen and oestrogen would be evident within the first couple of weeks of a three-to-six-month cycle of steroid use. Controversially, Hildebrandt also suggests that a drug that blocks the conversion of steroid to oestrogen could be taken to help suppress the aggressive side effects. These kinds of drugs - called aromatase inhibitors - are already prescribed to people who need to keep their oestrogen levels low, such as those with breast cancer.
New research claims fasting may prevent heart disease and raise HGH levels.
Cardiologists with the Intermountain Medical Center say that fasting may help reduce the risk of coronary artery disease, or heart disease.
Researchers at the medical center's Heart Institute studied 230 people who fasted for 24 hours, and doctors found the body's biology reacted in multiple ways. Most notably, the amount of human growth hormone increased by up to 2000-percent.
"The body says, I'm not getting food. What do I do about it? The human growth hormone goes up and the fat cells start being burned as fuel," said Dr. Benjamin Horne, Director of Cardiovascular and Genetic Epidemiology.
That means that those who routinely fast may have fewer fat cells, lowering insulin resistance, which leads to a lower risk of diabetes. Diabetes is one of the major and most potent risk factors for heart disease.
Researchers at the medical center's Heart Institute studied 230 people who fasted for 24 hours, and doctors found the body's biology reacted in multiple ways. Most notably, the amount of human growth hormone increased by up to 2000-percent.
"The body says, I'm not getting food. What do I do about it? The human growth hormone goes up and the fat cells start being burned as fuel," said Dr. Benjamin Horne, Director of Cardiovascular and Genetic Epidemiology.
That means that those who routinely fast may have fewer fat cells, lowering insulin resistance, which leads to a lower risk of diabetes. Diabetes is one of the major and most potent risk factors for heart disease.
Danbury celebrates it's first ever steroids bust.
A Danbury man from Pembroke Road is the first city person arrested as part of the regional steroid ring busted last month by the Drug Enforcement Agency and the Danbury Special Investigations Division.
Philip Braun, 30, of Pembroke Road, was charged at his home March 28 after being served by a warrant.
Police Spokesman Capt. Thomas Wendel said when police arrived at the home, they found Braun had 17 percocet pills, which led to the charge of possession of narcotics.
Police found four chemicals that led to three counts of possession of a controlled substance. The substances were testosterone, (a steroid hormone); deca-durabolin, (most common steroid); halotestin pills, (one of most powerful steroids); 100 proviron pills.
Braun was charged with possession of prescription legend drugs.
Braun was held on a $500,000 bond before he made the bond and was released. He is scheduled to appear for his arraignment in Danbury Superior Court Monday.
Philip Braun, 30, of Pembroke Road, was charged at his home March 28 after being served by a warrant.
Police Spokesman Capt. Thomas Wendel said when police arrived at the home, they found Braun had 17 percocet pills, which led to the charge of possession of narcotics.
Police found four chemicals that led to three counts of possession of a controlled substance. The substances were testosterone, (a steroid hormone); deca-durabolin, (most common steroid); halotestin pills, (one of most powerful steroids); 100 proviron pills.
Braun was charged with possession of prescription legend drugs.
Braun was held on a $500,000 bond before he made the bond and was released. He is scheduled to appear for his arraignment in Danbury Superior Court Monday.
Busted personal trainer get additional steroids possession charges for 200 vials.
A North Naples fitness trainer charged with a multitude of crimes in late January faces additional steroid-related charges, reported Collier County Sheriff’s deputies.Detectives seized about $20,000 worth of steroids from the home of Nicholas Munson Troemner, 28, a fitness trainer at Lifestyle Family Fitness Center in January. However, until Saturday morning, recent charges against Troemner didn’t include steroid possession due to pending tests.
Detectives found about 200 vials of suspected anabolic steroids in the North Naples home, located in the 5400 block of Teak Wood Drive, on January 20. Detectives with the Collier County Sheriffs Office Vice and Narcotics Bureau also reported finding about 770 grams of marijuana, about 50 grams of hashish, as well as numerous narcotics paraphernalia, including two digital scales, syringes, glass vials and plastic bags.
Troemner was not charged with steroid related crimes at that time as proper analysis was not yet complete.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement results were since received earlier this month and several steroids were identified, Sheriff’s Office detectives reported.
Troemner was initially charged with possession of marijuana with intent to sell, possession of marijuana over 20 grams, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of ammunition by a convicted felon, failure to register as a convicted felon and possession of narcotic paraphernalia.
Following receipt of the steroid test results, detectives located Troemner on the 6800 block of Golden Gate Parkway at about 10:30 a.m. Saturday and charged him with possession of anabolic steroids with intent to sell and eight counts of possession of anabolic steroids.
Mexican meat warning for drug tested athletes.
Germany's anti-doping agency has warned athletes about steroid-tainted meat in Mexico that could lead to positive tests.
The NADA warning says the meat in Mexico is more tainted with clenbuterol than in China.
It says athletes traveling to Mexico should be "very careful" about what they eat. The warning was issued after two travelers were tested upon their return from Mexico.
Three-time Tour de France winner Alberto Contador has based his defense for a positive test on tainted meat in Spain. The world anti-doping agency has appealed against his clearance by the Spanish cycling federation.
The NADA warning says the meat in Mexico is more tainted with clenbuterol than in China.
It says athletes traveling to Mexico should be "very careful" about what they eat. The warning was issued after two travelers were tested upon their return from Mexico.
Three-time Tour de France winner Alberto Contador has based his defense for a positive test on tainted meat in Spain. The world anti-doping agency has appealed against his clearance by the Spanish cycling federation.
Australia's operation Oklahoma targets Police run steroids supply ring.
Eight NSW police officers illegally sold steroids, in one case referring to it as ''perfume'', to fellow officers and others, it has been revealed.
The officers from Tamworth in northern NSW were using steroids bought over the internet and imported from Thailand.
Constable Matthew Walsh, 27, was sacked by the Police Commissioner in June last year for improperly using the steroid Ropel liquid testosterone and not reporting fellow officers for using the drugs.
The illegal steroid use was revealed in a judgment by the NSW Industrial Relations Commission after Mr Walsh appealed to get his job back.
The appeal was dismissed on March 23.
Mr Walsh, who had an interest in weight training and personal fitness, had organised with Senior Constable Nathan McCulloch, a former senior colleague at Tamworth police station, in May 2008 to purchase steroids.
It was alleged before his sacking that he failed to report that Mr McCulloch and up to six other officers, had used steroids, improperly imported the drug from Thailand and had improperly obtained steroids for others.
In December 2008 the Police Integrity Commission set up a covert Operation Oklahoma into possible steroid use and related misconduct by Mr McCulloch.
During the PIC inquiry Mr Walsh provided statements to assist investigations and agreed to give evidence in any subsequent court proceedings against Mr McCulloch and other officer and civilians.
Mr Walsh told the PIC that he knew Mr McCulloch used steroids after the senior officer suggested using the drugs to help his knee heal more quickly so he could play in a police rugby league tournament. Mr Walsh also admitted he had used steroids before joining the force.
In his submission to the IRC Mr Walsh said he agreed to buy steroids with Mr McCulloch, but later changed his mind and that he knew at least one person, a local businessman, was using steroids but did not report it to his superiors.
Mr Walsh said his involvement, revealed through a series of covert taped telephone conversations, ''was a serious lapse of judgment'' and he was ''fearful'' of reporting the misconduct of others because he ''knew he would draw attention to himself''.
Mr Walsh was sacked despite being provided with a ''letter of comfort'' from a senior PIC investigator to Police Internal Affairs which had confirmed he had become a willing informant.
Mr McCulloch gave evidence to the PIC in which he admitted his own steroid use and importing the substance.
However he denied he was aware of steroid use by any other police officer.
In one of the telephone intercepts in July 2008 one of the officers targeted was recorded telling another officer that he had ordered ''some stuff'' on the internet.
That conversation led to Internal Affairs police and Australian Customs raiding Mr McCulloch's home five days later - where investigators found 100 tablets of Anadrol and two bottles of steroid Nandrolin.
In other calls the officers referred to the drugs as ''perfume'' because they thought their phones were being tapped.
In his decision to reject Mr Walsh's application for wrongful dismissal Justice Conrad Staff said: ''I consider the public interest in maintaining the integrity of the NSW Police Force must result in the conclusion that the removal of (Walsh) … was not harsh, unreasonable or unjust''.
Justice Staff said that public interest demands that Mr Walsh should not be allowed to return to the NSW Police Force.
A secret internal police investigation has smashed a steroid smuggling ring operating inside the NSW Police Force.
The two-year operation, codenamed Oklahoma, exposed at least eight serving officers allegedly using and distributing non-prescribed steroids, anabolic steroids and human growth hormones.
The investigation focused on a group called the "Tamworth four", who Industrial Relations Commission documents alleged ran the steroid ring and talked about taking out a fellow officer who could have endangered their operation.
Details of the operation, which ran until last year, were revealed in a Commission hearing where an officer sacked for steroid use lodged an unsuccessful bid to get his job back.Constable Matthew Walsh claimed his sacking by police commissioner Andrew Scipione last June was harsh.
The Commission heard that using listening devices on mobile and police station phones, Operation Oklahoma's initial target was Tamworth senior constable Nathan McCulloch - a 15-year veteran of the NSW Police Force.
It was told the ring involved three other officers including McCulloch's wife, Elisa Maree McCulloch, a senior constable with 20 years' experience.
Another senior constable, Terri Whitton, was recorded having conversations with officers about sourcing steroids from her then boyfriend Ben Wilson - a forward for the Wee Waa Panthers rugby league team.
Constable Matthew Walsh admitted to using steroids sourced from McCulloch on multiple occasions, the court heard. He also admitted to being aware that the steroids were imported over the internet from Thailand and from other people in Australia.
All four officers were either sacked from the force or allowed to resign.
The documents also revealed the group was linked to local business people, rugby league players and at least four other serving officers, including one in Queensland who was known as "Fridge". None were prosecuted due to a lack of evidence, a police source said.
The four sacked officers were hauled before the Police Integrity Commission.
Evidence given in the Industrial Commission was that the steroids were imported via post from Thailand and from a local network in the Tamworth area.
When police raided McCulloch's home in 2008 he allegedly sent an SMS to his wife which said: "get the steroids out of the house".
Before that, the Commission heard that investigating officers intercepted a phone call between McCulloch and Walsh where they discussed another officer, Troy "Ling Ling" Rowland, who they said was "skiting off about the perfume", referring to pro-growth hormones. The two men discussed "doing a Brasco on him", Commission documents said. Asked if that meant "taking him out", Walsh said: "Yeah, possibly."
Whitton was ordered in Armidale Court to perform 150 community service hours after being convicted of giving false or misleading evidence to a commission on March 11.
Nathan McCulloch was fined $2500 after he was convicted on five charges including possessing an illegal steroidal agent, forging a prescription and drug supply.
Elisa McCulloch was charged but was not convicted.
The NSW Police Drug and Alcohol Policy states that officers are prohibited from using anabolic steroids or other steroids unless they are prescribed by a doctor for medical reasons.
A NSW Health spokesman said it is illegal to possess non-prescribed steroids.
A spokesman for the NSW Department of Health said all were anabolic steroids which are illegal unless prescribed by a doctor.
The officers from Tamworth in northern NSW were using steroids bought over the internet and imported from Thailand.
Constable Matthew Walsh, 27, was sacked by the Police Commissioner in June last year for improperly using the steroid Ropel liquid testosterone and not reporting fellow officers for using the drugs.
The illegal steroid use was revealed in a judgment by the NSW Industrial Relations Commission after Mr Walsh appealed to get his job back.
The appeal was dismissed on March 23.
Mr Walsh, who had an interest in weight training and personal fitness, had organised with Senior Constable Nathan McCulloch, a former senior colleague at Tamworth police station, in May 2008 to purchase steroids.
It was alleged before his sacking that he failed to report that Mr McCulloch and up to six other officers, had used steroids, improperly imported the drug from Thailand and had improperly obtained steroids for others.
In December 2008 the Police Integrity Commission set up a covert Operation Oklahoma into possible steroid use and related misconduct by Mr McCulloch.
During the PIC inquiry Mr Walsh provided statements to assist investigations and agreed to give evidence in any subsequent court proceedings against Mr McCulloch and other officer and civilians.
Mr Walsh told the PIC that he knew Mr McCulloch used steroids after the senior officer suggested using the drugs to help his knee heal more quickly so he could play in a police rugby league tournament. Mr Walsh also admitted he had used steroids before joining the force.
In his submission to the IRC Mr Walsh said he agreed to buy steroids with Mr McCulloch, but later changed his mind and that he knew at least one person, a local businessman, was using steroids but did not report it to his superiors.
Mr Walsh said his involvement, revealed through a series of covert taped telephone conversations, ''was a serious lapse of judgment'' and he was ''fearful'' of reporting the misconduct of others because he ''knew he would draw attention to himself''.
Mr Walsh was sacked despite being provided with a ''letter of comfort'' from a senior PIC investigator to Police Internal Affairs which had confirmed he had become a willing informant.
Mr McCulloch gave evidence to the PIC in which he admitted his own steroid use and importing the substance.
However he denied he was aware of steroid use by any other police officer.
In one of the telephone intercepts in July 2008 one of the officers targeted was recorded telling another officer that he had ordered ''some stuff'' on the internet.
That conversation led to Internal Affairs police and Australian Customs raiding Mr McCulloch's home five days later - where investigators found 100 tablets of Anadrol and two bottles of steroid Nandrolin.
In other calls the officers referred to the drugs as ''perfume'' because they thought their phones were being tapped.
In his decision to reject Mr Walsh's application for wrongful dismissal Justice Conrad Staff said: ''I consider the public interest in maintaining the integrity of the NSW Police Force must result in the conclusion that the removal of (Walsh) … was not harsh, unreasonable or unjust''.
Justice Staff said that public interest demands that Mr Walsh should not be allowed to return to the NSW Police Force.
A secret internal police investigation has smashed a steroid smuggling ring operating inside the NSW Police Force.
The two-year operation, codenamed Oklahoma, exposed at least eight serving officers allegedly using and distributing non-prescribed steroids, anabolic steroids and human growth hormones.
The investigation focused on a group called the "Tamworth four", who Industrial Relations Commission documents alleged ran the steroid ring and talked about taking out a fellow officer who could have endangered their operation.
Details of the operation, which ran until last year, were revealed in a Commission hearing where an officer sacked for steroid use lodged an unsuccessful bid to get his job back.Constable Matthew Walsh claimed his sacking by police commissioner Andrew Scipione last June was harsh.
The Commission heard that using listening devices on mobile and police station phones, Operation Oklahoma's initial target was Tamworth senior constable Nathan McCulloch - a 15-year veteran of the NSW Police Force.
It was told the ring involved three other officers including McCulloch's wife, Elisa Maree McCulloch, a senior constable with 20 years' experience.
Another senior constable, Terri Whitton, was recorded having conversations with officers about sourcing steroids from her then boyfriend Ben Wilson - a forward for the Wee Waa Panthers rugby league team.
Constable Matthew Walsh admitted to using steroids sourced from McCulloch on multiple occasions, the court heard. He also admitted to being aware that the steroids were imported over the internet from Thailand and from other people in Australia.
All four officers were either sacked from the force or allowed to resign.
The documents also revealed the group was linked to local business people, rugby league players and at least four other serving officers, including one in Queensland who was known as "Fridge". None were prosecuted due to a lack of evidence, a police source said.
The four sacked officers were hauled before the Police Integrity Commission.
Evidence given in the Industrial Commission was that the steroids were imported via post from Thailand and from a local network in the Tamworth area.
When police raided McCulloch's home in 2008 he allegedly sent an SMS to his wife which said: "get the steroids out of the house".
Before that, the Commission heard that investigating officers intercepted a phone call between McCulloch and Walsh where they discussed another officer, Troy "Ling Ling" Rowland, who they said was "skiting off about the perfume", referring to pro-growth hormones. The two men discussed "doing a Brasco on him", Commission documents said. Asked if that meant "taking him out", Walsh said: "Yeah, possibly."
Whitton was ordered in Armidale Court to perform 150 community service hours after being convicted of giving false or misleading evidence to a commission on March 11.
Nathan McCulloch was fined $2500 after he was convicted on five charges including possessing an illegal steroidal agent, forging a prescription and drug supply.
Elisa McCulloch was charged but was not convicted.
The NSW Police Drug and Alcohol Policy states that officers are prohibited from using anabolic steroids or other steroids unless they are prescribed by a doctor for medical reasons.
A NSW Health spokesman said it is illegal to possess non-prescribed steroids.
A spokesman for the NSW Department of Health said all were anabolic steroids which are illegal unless prescribed by a doctor.
Australian bobsledder caught importing and using steroids.
Australian bobsledder Travis Sheehy has been banned from competing in any sport for two years after he was caught trying to ship banned performance-enhancing drugs into the country.
Australia's Sports Anti-Doping Agency began investigating the 32-year-old Sheehy after Australian customs intercepted a package containing the anabolic steroids methandienone and stanozolol. The doping agency said Friday it had determined the package was intended for Sheehy and that he also had used banned substances.
Sheehy, also a competitive surf lifesaver, initially contested the ban but recently withdrew his appeal with the Australian Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Sheehy had been a member of the Australian bobsled team since 1987 and was an alternate on the team that competed in the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.
Australia's Sports Anti-Doping Agency began investigating the 32-year-old Sheehy after Australian customs intercepted a package containing the anabolic steroids methandienone and stanozolol. The doping agency said Friday it had determined the package was intended for Sheehy and that he also had used banned substances.
Sheehy, also a competitive surf lifesaver, initially contested the ban but recently withdrew his appeal with the Australian Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Sheehy had been a member of the Australian bobsled team since 1987 and was an alternate on the team that competed in the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.
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