Asia Pharma's owner back in the news.
President Barack Obama sent a letter to Congress that named six individuals and groups, including an alleged anabolic steroid dealer, under Kingpin Act sanctions.
The letter merely names the people designated for sanctions, but an email on Friday from a Treasury spokesman explained why each person or group received the sanctions.
Mihael Karner of Slovenia directs a worldwide steroid trafficking organization, according to the Treasury spokesman. In the past 10 years, Karner, relatives and associates all sold steroids via the Internet around the world, and created shell companies to hide the origin of the profits.
Karner, his wife and his brother were indicted in Massachusetts federal court in 2010 on three counts of money laundering conspiracy, and importing and distributing steroids.
He and his wife were arrested in Austria in December 2011. While fighting extradition, they were released on bail in April 2012, and then fled to their native Slovenia, which has no extradition treaty with the U.S., the spokesman said. The next month, he was declared a fugitive by the U.S. Justice Department, and by August, Austria issued arrest warrants for them both.
Treasury’s spokesman said that though his trafficking organization has been disrupted, Karner continues to operate from Slovenia.
The steroids are made in India and Greece, the spokesman said, and they’re shipped to customers in Eastern Europe and the U.S. Hundreds of websites advertising the steroids are managed in Malaysia under his umbrella company, which is called Asia Pharma.
"Dear Mr. Chairman: (Madam Chairman:)
(Dear Representative:) (Dear Senator:) (Dear Mr. Vice Chairman:)
This report to the Congress, under section 804(a) of the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act, 21 U.S.C. 1903(b)(1) (the "Kingpin Act"), transmits my designations of the following six foreign individuals and groups as appropriate for sanctions under the Kingpin Act and reports my direction of sanctions against them under the Act:
Mihael Karner (Slovenia)
Haji Khotwal Noorzai (Afghanistan)
Luis Fernando Sanchez Arellano (Mexico)
Los Caballeros Templarios (Mexico)
Los UrabeƱos (Colombia)
Los Cachiros (Honduras)
Sincerely,
BARACK OBAMA"
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