Father claims son's steroid use lead to his death from heroin.

A distraught father told an inquest he believed his son had turned to heroin after becoming hooked on performance enhancing steroids.

Amateur bodybuilder Ian Karl Jens Barlow, from Oakridge Road, Basingstoke was found dead by his parents on September 27 having overdosed on the class A drug.

North Hampshire coroner Andrew Bradley recorded a verdict of accidental death at Alton Magistrates Court earlier this month.

Ian’s father Karl told the inquest that he had become increadingly concerned over his son’s wellbeing around 10 years ago when the 33-year-old started taking steroids to fuel his bodybuilding.

He said he had taken him to drug rehabilitation in a bid to wean his son off the substances. “I did try to warn him off steroids in the beginning,” he said. “It did not work so I took him to the Priory - that was a waste of time.”

When asked by Mr Bradley when his son’s heroin habit started, he said it was during his time lifting weights.

“It just started when he was doing bodybuilding and weight lifting,” Mr Barlow said. “A lot of his friends had gone the same way.”

Mr Barlow said that Ian had moved back to the family home following the break-up of a previous relationship.

The father told the inquest that the night before his son’s death “everything was normal”. The next day, Mr Barlow and his wife had left to go shopping. When they returned at 5pm, Ian’s curtains were still drawn.

After entering his room, Ian was pale and unresponsive.

He was lying with a syringe still in his right arm, and a bandage covering his left palm.

PC Richard Right, from Basingstoke police station, said at the inquest said the death was not suspicious.

In recording the verdict of accidental death Mr Bradley said: “There are no thoughts that he was trying to kill himself.

“It is a horrible overdose situation, but that is the risk you run with drug use.”

Christmas juice driving lands Texan in jail.

El Paso County sheriff's deputies arrested a motorist after vials of anabolic steroids were found in his car during a Tuesday night traffic stop in the far East Side, officials said.

Servando Castrejon, 47, faces five counts of possession of a controlled substance. He was released from jail after posting a total bond of $3,750.

Sheriff officials said Strike Team deputies pulled over a car driven by Castrejon near the intersection of Zaragoza Road and Montana Avenue on license plate and lane-change violations. Castrejon appeared to be extremely nervous and was trying to hide a small bag under the front seat. The bag contained seven 10-milligram glass vials of steroids from Mexico, authorities said.

Polish UG steroids lab operator busted in Ireland gets no jail time.

A Polish body builder and former Mr Northern Ireland competitor has walked free from court, after he admitted importing almost two kilos of raw steroids.

The two year jail term imposed on Mariusz Bak was suspended for three years at Omagh Crown Court, sitting in Belfast, on Wednesday.

Between January 2010 and January 2011, officers from the UK Borders Agency and Customs and Excise seized 1.72 kilos of various body building powders at Heathrow Airport, sent from China and destined for Bak's home address in Dungannon.

Prosecuting lawyer Robin Steer told the court that officers also intercepted a metal press capable of making "thousands" of tablets a day and 13,000 printed labels.

Mr Steer also said the a receipt for the purchase of 1,086 glass vials and "paper work for the delivery of steroids" were uncovered during searches of the 30-year-old's home in Castleview Heights.

Bak was running a Dungannon gym when he was arrested in September 2010. He admitted importing the steroids but claimed the tablet press was to be used to make protein tablets as a body supplement.

Two months after his arrest, Mr Steer said police discovered Bak had ordered more steroids, giving rise to the fear that he was attempting to "replenish his stock".

The lawyer revealed that the total estimated value of the steroids found could have been as much as £42,000 with the total cost of the associated paraphernalia being £5,000.

Orders for steroids were found on Bak's computer and mobile phone and police said it appeared he was "about to embark on moving his production to a higher level, to a commercial scale".

Bak, who moved to NI six years ago, pleaded guilty to possessing the class C steroids with intent to supply and also to importing the drugs.

Defence QC James Gallagher told the court that Bak, who has competed in body building at a "high level with some success", was selling the steroids to his circle of friends for no profit and added that they were in fact legal to own and import for personal use.

In handing down the suspended jail term, Judge Geoffrey Miller QC described the operation as "well planned and well organised" but added that it appeared the "hard working and industrious" Bak did not understand the potential harm for the unlicensed supply of steroids.

Malcolm Bragg, Assistant Director, UK Border Agency Criminal and Financial Investigation, said:

"This sentence reflects the severity of this crime. It sends out a message that we are serious about tackling those responsible for bringing illegal drugs into Britain.

"Our highly skilled officers work tirelessly using the very latest technology to detect and prevent drugs from being smuggled into the UK. We are determined to combat drug trafficking which has such a destructive impact on the lives of so many."

Missouri bodybuilder pleads guilty to growth hormone dealing.

Gregory L. Loomans, 40, of St. Charles, pleaded guilty Dec. 16 to one charge of conspiracy to possess and distribute human growth hormone.

According to court documents, Loomans was a bodybuilder who frequented gyms in St. Charles County. He admitted with his plea that he and others bought steroids and human growth hormone from China, injected a portion of the drugs into himself, and sold and distributed the remaining drugs to other bodybuilders, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office for Eastern Missouri.

Loomans pleaded guilty to one felony count of conspiracy to possess and distribute human growth hormone. Sentencing was set for March 16. He faces a maximum of five years in prison and/or fines up to $250,000.

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the Office of Criminal Investigation for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Missouri South Central Drug Task Force investigated the case, with assistance from the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Office of Homeland Security Investigations.

Codefendant Keith Ashabranner, 32, of O'Fallon, faces the same charge and is scheduled for trial in February 2012.

Controlled steroids delivery from China.

An Oak Lawn man was arrested in Macomb Monday afternoon following an investigation involving the McDonough County Sheriff’s office and the Department of Homeland Security Customs Enforcement.

According to a press release issued by the McDonough County Sheriff’s office, the Department of Homeland Security intercepted a package, sent from China with a destination address of 713 Reeveston Drive in Macomb, containing 1,000 tablets and 25 vials of anabolic steroids.

McDonough County deputies, along with the Macomb, Blandinsville, Bushnell and Colchester police departments set up a sting operation at approximately 2 p.m. Monday at 713 Reeveston Drive.

Eric A. Hardt, 26, of Oak Lawn, was arrested in front of the residence in his vehicle, with the open package of anabolic steroids. A search warrant executed at the residence resulted in the seizure of liquid hydrocodone and numerous syringes.

Hardt was charged with possession of a controlled substance (hydrocodone), a class 3 felony; possession of controlled substance with the intent to deliver (anabolic steroids), a class 4 felony; and possession of hypodermic syringes, a class A misdemeanor, and lodged in McDonough County Jail.

During a court appearance Tuesday afternoon in McDonough County Circuit Court,
Hardt’s bond was set at $5,000 and he given a preliminary court date of Jan. 4, 2012. He was appointed a public defender.

On the class 3 and 4 felony charges, Hardt faces between one and five years in state prison and a fine of up to $50,000. The class A misdemeanor charge is punishable by a up to a year in jail and a fine of up to $2,500.

Poland cracks down on their steroids trade.

( Machine translated from Polish, the video suggests that some of those arrested were involved in producing or copying one of the most famous East European UG labs )




More than 250 officers was struck in an organized group engaged in the illegal trafficking of anabolics. It was the biggest realization of this type carried out in our country - our range encompassed 10 provinces. In total, police detained 23 people, including secured million pieces of illegal pharmaceuticals, luxury cars and about 500 thousand in cash. As emphasized by the officers, this case is the development - are planned to stop.

Police action, which also took part of the Customs Service officers, the biggest blow to the anabolic underground - in total took part in it more than 250 policemen, including the assault group. On Tuesday, exactly at 6 am, officers went to several, previously selected houses and flats, where they would be members of an organized criminal group involved in the illicit procedere pharmaceutical preparations. As investigators have found, it was the means of action dopingującym, influencing the growth of muscle mass and stamina. In total, fell into the hands of police, 23 people of different ages: 20 men and 3 women. This was the core group that worked well in our country and beyond its borders.

During searches of apartments rented by members of the police officers were sent to the room where illegal pre-packaged pharmaceuticals, and warehouses, which were very large quantities of drugs. During the officers seized about 500 thousand in cash, luxury cars (BMW, Mercedes, Nissan and Volkswagen), whose value was estimated at around 900 thousand, computers, storage devices and mobile phones. Thanks to the cooperation with the General Inspector of Financial Information investigators closed bank accounts belonging to members of the group, which in total there were about 2.2 million.

Among those detained are growing - in the past and present - strength sports. They participated in national and international competitions, where he achieved high performance, winning, among others champions and runners-up titles in the world.

Detained persons to answer before a court for violation of the law on pharmaceutical and money laundering. District Prosecutor's Office supervises the case in Krakow.

The material which has been harvested by the coordinators of the provincial command and KGP Crime Bureau officers, indicates that the case will have its continuation. Are planned next stop.

Conicted UK steroid dealers forced to hand over profits.

A Great Saling man and his wife who lived lavish lifestyles while running a multi-million pound racket to import and supply anabolic steroids have been stripped of assets worth more than £1.3million under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

scales of justicePatrick Hyland and estranged spouse Hyacinth were both jailed at Chelmsford Crown Court in December 2010 for their part in the conspiracy.

During the trial, Patrick Hyland was described as the chief executive of the smuggling operation while his wife was involved in the organisation when he was abroad sourcing and buying anabolic steroids.

Patrick Hyland was sentenced to 54 months and Hyacinth Hyland was given a two-year sentence.

At a Proceeds of Crime Confiscation hearing at Chelmsford Crown Court last week Patrick Hyland, 49, was found to have accrued a criminal benefit of £5,142,110.

The court made a confiscation order of £596,047 based on his available assets. Hylands was told that the order should be paid within six months or he will face a further four years in jail.

Hyacinth Hyland, 56, of Little Waltham, was found by the court to have obtained a criminal benefit totalling £4,359,306 and was told to pay £732,939, based on her available assets. She was ordered to pay within 12 months or face four years in jail.

The court also made confiscation orders against two other men who were jailed for their parts in the conspiracy.

Colin Lathbury, 56, from the Isle of Man, who was jailed for 30 months, was found to have a criminal benefit of £608,656 and ordered to pay £412,676 within six months or face a further three years and six months in jail.

Sanjay Mistry, 43, from Watford, who was given a suspended sentence for his part in the conspiracy, was found to have a criminal benefit of £1,401,673 and ordered to pay £100,000 within six months or face two years in prison.

Detective Chief Inspector Keith Davies, head of the Kent and Essex Police Serious Economic Crime Unit, said: "The considerable confiscation orders made against these four defendants really does reiterate how powerful the Proceeds of Crime legislation can be and how it can be used effectively to disrupt and dismantle serious organised crime groups.”

Operation Jellybean steroid dealer sentenced to 7 months of house arrest.

Perry Gustav Moore, 45, of Glace Bay, N.S., was sentenced to seven months of house arrest and fined $5,000 for his part in a Fredericton-based anabolic-steroid trafficking conspiracy.

Moore was one of 20 people charged in connection with Operation Jellybean, a two-year, joint-forces drug investigation focused in Fredericton.

The goal of Jellybean, which began in 2005, was to disrupt the sale of cocaine, marijuana, prescription drugs and anabolic steroids in New Brunswick.

Defence lawyer Howard Peters said Friday his client, who pleaded guilty, was only involved in selling anabolic steroids and was at the lower end of the scale in the conspiracy.

Peters said Moore was buying steroids for personal use and for sale in his gym in Glace Bay, N.S., and wasn't selling in his community in general.

Crown prosecutor William Lebans painted a similar picture about Moore.

"Moore was not regarded as one of the masterminds," he said.

But the prosecutor also told the court about a number of police wiretaps in 2006 that recorded Moore talking to various other conspirators about buying various anabolic steroids.

He said anabolic drugs are dangerous.

The Crown prosecutor said a search warrant was executed at Moore's gym in early 2007, but no steroids were found.

There was some confusion between the prosecution and the defence about a recommended joint sentence.

Lebans said the two sides had agreed to recommend a seven-month conditional sentence and a $5,000 fine.

Peters said there was agreement on the period of house arrest but no agreement on a fine.

Provincial court Judge Julian Dickson said the court had received a favourable pre-sentence report on Moore.

He said the pre-sentence report shows Moore was a stellar businessman, a good family man and someone who gave to charity and sponsored sports teams.

"You are a contributing member of society," said Dickson.

Among the conditions of Moore's conditional sentence are to remain at home 24 hours a day except to go directly to work, for medical emergencies and for several hours a week for personal care.

In addition to the $5,000 fine, Moore was ordered to pay a $750 victim-fine surcharge.

Moore didn't address the court before his sentencing.

Prison officer caught accidentally taking 15 Dianabol tabs into the jail he worked at.

A PRISON officer was yesterday warned he could be jailed for taking drugs into a young offenders’ institution.

Garry Wilkinson says he was unaware he had the steroids when he was caught with them in his possession at Deerbolt Young Offenders’ Institution, near Barnard Castle, County Durham.

Wilkinson made his admission on his first appearance at Durham Crown Court in relation to the incident, for which he has remained suspended from his job for the past three months.

Although it was only a preliminary hearing, Wilkinson’s barrister, David Comb, asked for the charge to be put to his client.

The 39-year-old officer pleaded guilty to taking a prohibited item, namely 15 methandienone dianabol tablets, into a prison establishment, on September 9.

Mr Comb said he made his guilty plea on a basis agreed with the prosecution.

He said: “The Crown accepts he entered a prison, Deerbolt Young Offenders’ Institution, with 15 Class C body-building steroids and they accept this was due to mere inadvertence that he had them in his possession.”

Following the admission, Judge Christopher Prince said he was considering sentencing Wilkinson at yesterday’s hearing.

But, after further consideration, he said: “I think I’m going to dwell on this case.

“There is a responsibility placed on prison officers not to take drugs into prisons, inadvertently or otherwise.

British health food shop owner caught selling steroids.

A DODGY chemist who ran an illegal trade in prescription drugs and steroids from an Aylesbury health store has admitted breaking the law.

On Monday Ricky Thomas, 25, who ran Health Zone in the Cloisters indoor market when it was raided by police, pleaded guilty to three offences.

The store was searched on February 1, when officers discovered large quantities of steroid-based drugs from all over the world.

Thomas, of Portman Mews, Aylesbury, admitted possession of Class C drugs with intent to supply, possession of medical products knowing them to be marketed without authorisation.

He also pleaded guilty to one count of possession of medical products with intent to supply.

After the hearing at Aylesbury Crown Court, sitting in Amersham, the officer dealing with the case said Thomas had used a legitimate business to run the illegal operation.

Det Sgt Steven Ring, from the Thames Valley Police Major Crime team described the drugs on sale from the store, in basement at the Friars Square Shopping Centre as ‘dangerous’.

He said: “I am pleased that Thomas has realised there is no other option but for him to admit guilt in this offence.

“He was using a legitimate business to front his illegal trade in prescription drugs and steroids, which were being imported from dubious suppliers from around the world.

“In shutting down this operation, Thames Valley Police has taken a significant amount of dangerous drugs off of the streets.”

Thomas is set to be sentenced at Aylesbury Crown Court on January 13.

Saudi Arabia cracks down on gyms selling steroids.

Some 200 gyms here have been caught promoting dangerous banned steroids to their members. This shocking discovery was made during inspections by field teams of the General Presidency for Youth Welfare.

The inspection teams also uncovered the existence of unqualified foreigners illegally working as sports trainers. The Jeddah Director of Youth Welfare Ahmad Rousy said that the surprise inspections resulted in the booking of 200 private sports gyms. These gyms violated regulations by promoting steroids and illegally employing expatriates in professions other than the ones they were recruited for.

The field committee has ordered the gyms to clear up the violations before the next visit. If they do not heed the warning, they will have their licenses withdrawn.

Rousy said that the owner of each gym must rectify the situation within 15 days. If he does not respond, the matter will be referred to the governorate, which will direct the police to close down the facility until the violation is dealt with.

The rogue gyms account for 66 percent of the three hundred gyms in the coastal city. Authorities are deeply concerned that so many were caught promoting steroids.