UG domestic steroid lab busted after dumb Chinese powder source declares shipment as an explosive precursor.

A husband and wife in Irvine were the alleged masterminds behind a "large-scale" steroid distribution scheme that may have spanned the globe, according to the Irvine Police Department. Carlos Hernandez, 27, and his wife, Roxanne Hernandez, 30, were arrested Wednesday on suspicion of conspiracy and controlled substance charges. During a search of the couple's Irvine home, police seized 40 vials believed to be steroids, approximately 20,000 pills, packaging materials, three handguns, a shotgun, a rifle with a several large capacity magazines, and more than $6,000 in cash, according to police. "Authorities believe some of the steroids were being sold locally, but evidence also suggests the suspects were making shipments to buyers throughout the U.S. and internationally," according to the Irvine Police Department. Authorities were first tipped off to the alleged scheme after intercepting two packages containing about four pounds of powdered steroids at a Bay Area mail screening facility. The packages were addressed to the couple, according to police. Authorities believe the husband and wife were using chemicals to convert the powdered steroids into liquid form. "The underground production and sale of steroids poses a serious health threat," said Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent Claude Arnold in a statement. "These are powerful chemicals under any circumstances, but the risks increase exponentially when you're dealing with homemade counterfeits that are being taken without a doctor's supervision." Carlos and Roxanne Hernandez were booked into the Orange County Jail in lieu of $500,000 bail on suspicion of transporting or selling a controlled substance, possessing a controlled substance, conspiracy and weapons charges related to several large-capacity magazines, police said.