Showing posts with label Australia steroids. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Australia steroids. Show all posts
Australians fined for smuggling Thai steroids in their underwear.
Two New South Wales men have been collectively fined $19,000 for illegally importing performance and image enhancing drugs, and a laser pointer, into Sydney International Airport.
On 14 April 2012, two travelling companions arrived at Sydney International Airport on a flight from Thailand. Both men were selected for examination by Customs and Border Protection officers.
During the examinations, officers found more than 2,900 performance and image enhancing drugs concealed in each man’s pants. Officers also uncovered an illegal laser pointer concealed in one man’s luggage. It is illegal to import these items without a permit.
On Tuesday 11 December 2012, both men appeared in separate hearings at Downing Centre Local Court, where they were each convicted for importing prohibited items, namely an anabolic or androgenic substance, and for making a false statement. A conviction was also recorded for one of the men for importing a prohibited item, namely a laser pointer.
The first man was fined a total of $10,000, plus court costs for the importation of the performance and image enhancing drugs and laser pointer. The second man was fined $9,000, plus court costs.
Customs and Border Protection Director Investigations NSW Tony McSweeney, said that the attempted importation of such substances without a permit just isn’t worth it.
“Some people think that these drugs will enhance their physical appearance, but being arrested and fined $19,000 doesn’t make you look good.” Mr McSweeney said.
The maximum penalty for the importation of steroids is five years imprisonment and/or a $110,000 fine. The fine will increase to a maximum of $170,000 for offences committed after 28 December 2012.
TWO men have been fined a total of $19,000 for illegally importing performance and body-enhancing steroids into Sydney in their underpants.
They were found to have more than 2900 tablets concealed in their briefs when Customs and Border Protection officers searched them as they returned from Thailand in April.
One of the men, who are both aged 21 and from Sydney, also had an illegal laser pointer hidden in his luggage, the officers found.
Tony McSweeney, NSW director of investigations at Customs and Border Protection, said it was not worth trying to import steroids without a permit.
"Some people think that these drugs will enhance their physical appearance, but being arrested and fined $19,000 doesn't make you look good," he said.
The two men faced separate hearings at Sydney's Downing Centre Local Court this week and were convicted for importing prohibited items and making false statements, Customs said.
The man with the laser pointer was also convicted for that offence and was fined $10,000 plus court costs. His travelling companion was fined $9,000, plus court costs.
Australian domestic steroid lab busted on Gold Coast.
A 28-year-old man has been charged after police seized 1000 vials of steroids from a Gold Coast home allegedly used a laboratory.
Detectives from the Major and Organised Crime Squad raided the La Scala Street home in the Isle of Capri about 7.30am on Tuesday, where they uncovered equipment said to be used in a "sophisticated" steroid production.
Police said 1000 vials of steroids were also uncovered in the raid.
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A 28-year-old man has been charged with the possession of human growth hormones and the production of human growth hormones.
He is expected to face Southport Magistrates Court on January 15, 2013.
A 31-year-old woman is also assisting police with their investigations.
Supplement company Axis Labs in legal trouble over Monster Caps.
Federal authorities have charged Axis Labs LLC of Centennial with a
criminal count of mail fraud on allegations it illegally sold mail-order
supplements containing anabolic steroids.
Prosecutors in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Colorado charged Axis Labs on Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Denver.
Axis Labs is accused of “being involved” in the making and selling a muscle-building and weight-loss product called Monster Caps, which the company purported was a dietary supplement that didn’t need to be prescribed by a doctor.
Monster Caps actually contained undeclared synthetic anabolic steroids and were intended “to affect the structure and function of the human body,” which made the product a regulated drug needing Food & Drug Administration approval to be sold, investigators alleged.
“It is critically important that consumers know the contents of what they are consuming,” said John Walsh, U.S. Attorney for Colorado, in a press release. “In this case, the product contained synthetic anabolic steroids, and because of its potential for harm, it was a prescription drug that could only be dispensed pursuant to a valid prescription.”
An investigation involving the U.S. Food and Drug Administration found Axis Labs mailed Monster Caps throughout the United States in 2008 and 2009 to customers ordering them over the Internet, authorities allege.
Axis Labs faces a fine of up to $500,000 if convicted on the mail fraud count.
Axis Labs did not immediately return a phone call seeking comment.
Prosecutors in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Colorado charged Axis Labs on Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Denver.
Axis Labs is accused of “being involved” in the making and selling a muscle-building and weight-loss product called Monster Caps, which the company purported was a dietary supplement that didn’t need to be prescribed by a doctor.
Monster Caps actually contained undeclared synthetic anabolic steroids and were intended “to affect the structure and function of the human body,” which made the product a regulated drug needing Food & Drug Administration approval to be sold, investigators alleged.
“It is critically important that consumers know the contents of what they are consuming,” said John Walsh, U.S. Attorney for Colorado, in a press release. “In this case, the product contained synthetic anabolic steroids, and because of its potential for harm, it was a prescription drug that could only be dispensed pursuant to a valid prescription.”
An investigation involving the U.S. Food and Drug Administration found Axis Labs mailed Monster Caps throughout the United States in 2008 and 2009 to customers ordering them over the Internet, authorities allege.
Axis Labs faces a fine of up to $500,000 if convicted on the mail fraud count.
Axis Labs did not immediately return a phone call seeking comment.
Seller of domestic UG steroids arrested.
Montgomery County sheriff's deputies arrested a Spring man as part of an ongoing investigation into a steroid manufacturing and distribution ring.
Matthew Emilio Montano, 28, was arrested about 8 p.m. Wednesday after delivering 56 vials of liquid anabolic steroids to an undercover investigator at a shopping center in Spring, deputies said.
He is believed to be a key member of a ring supplying illegal growth hormones to gyms in the area, officials said.
Earlier this year, investigators raided a clandestine laboratory in Montgomery County and uncovered several pounds of powdered and liquid growth hormones, along with chemicals, glassware and other components, sheriff's deputies said.
Montano was charged Thursday with felony delivery of a controlled substance. He is being held without bail at the Harris County Jail.
Matthew Emilio Montano, 28, was arrested about 8 p.m. Wednesday after delivering 56 vials of liquid anabolic steroids to an undercover investigator at a shopping center in Spring, deputies said.
He is believed to be a key member of a ring supplying illegal growth hormones to gyms in the area, officials said.
Earlier this year, investigators raided a clandestine laboratory in Montgomery County and uncovered several pounds of powdered and liquid growth hormones, along with chemicals, glassware and other components, sheriff's deputies said.
Montano was charged Thursday with felony delivery of a controlled substance. He is being held without bail at the Harris County Jail.
Volleyball coach and younger friends busted for roids and coke.
A Clear Springs High School teacher and volleyball coach is among three men accused of selling steroids and cocaine, Friendswood police said. Police are looking into the possibility that drugs might have been sold to students, authorities said.
Timothy Todd Porter, 45, was arrested at his house in League City on three felony drug charges, including delivery of a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance.
The arrests stem from a three-month investigation by Friendswood police and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency that included a raid at a Dallas-area business that authorities said was a compounding pharmacy used to make steroids.
Police also searched Porter’s house and found 98 grams of Stanozolol and 35 grams of Anabar, Wieners said. Both are oral steroids.
There’s a possibility that some of the customers for the drugs were students, Friendswood Police Chief Bob Wieners said.
“The extent of steroid use and sales involving student athletes is a serious concern shared by the Friendswood Police Department and the local communities that have students attending Clear Springs High School,” the chief said in a statement.
Police asked parents of Clear Springs students to talk to their children to determine if they were sold or given drugs and if so to call police, Wieners said.
Porter, who was suspended from his job after his arrest, was the junior varsity coach at Clear Springs and before that was the head volleyball coach at Clear Creek High School, district spokeswoman Janice Scott said.
“We share in our parents’ concerns following the arrest of a Clear Springs High School teacher and coach on drug charges,” the district said in a statement. “If the allegations prove to be true, he will be terminated.”
Porter, who teaches physics and astronomy, has worked for the Clear Creek school district for 22 years, Scott said.
Until six years ago, Porter was also a coach of a Gulf Coast Volleyball Association club team, association director Vic Clifford said. Porter has since moved on to coach for another volleyball association.
“He even coached my son,” Clifford said. “He was a good coach. There were no type of allegations of (drug selling) as far as we could tell.”
Porter also coached at Absolute Volleyball Academy until this year, the academy's co-owner Jerry Linch said. News of Porter's arrest, "came as a complete shock to us," Linch said.
"The arrest and allegations are certainly disturbing for the directors, staff, players and parents at AVA," Linch said in a statement. "If, and when needed, we will cooperate fully with the police officials. At this time we have not been given any information that would lead us to believe that these allegations are in direct connection to anyone associated with our facility."
According to Porter’s online bio, he coached several Olympians and All-American volleyball players.
Also arrested were, Geoffrey Winlock Taunton, 45, who was charged with possession of a controlled substance, and Joshua Todd Decker, 21, was charged with possession of marijuana and possession of a controlled substance.
An 18-year-old Clear Springs student who arrived at the house and who was driving Porter’s car at the time of the arrest was not arrested, Wieners said.
Timothy Todd Porter, 45, was arrested at his house in League City on three felony drug charges, including delivery of a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance.
The arrests stem from a three-month investigation by Friendswood police and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency that included a raid at a Dallas-area business that authorities said was a compounding pharmacy used to make steroids.
Police also searched Porter’s house and found 98 grams of Stanozolol and 35 grams of Anabar, Wieners said. Both are oral steroids.
There’s a possibility that some of the customers for the drugs were students, Friendswood Police Chief Bob Wieners said.
“The extent of steroid use and sales involving student athletes is a serious concern shared by the Friendswood Police Department and the local communities that have students attending Clear Springs High School,” the chief said in a statement.
Police asked parents of Clear Springs students to talk to their children to determine if they were sold or given drugs and if so to call police, Wieners said.
Porter, who was suspended from his job after his arrest, was the junior varsity coach at Clear Springs and before that was the head volleyball coach at Clear Creek High School, district spokeswoman Janice Scott said.
“We share in our parents’ concerns following the arrest of a Clear Springs High School teacher and coach on drug charges,” the district said in a statement. “If the allegations prove to be true, he will be terminated.”
Porter, who teaches physics and astronomy, has worked for the Clear Creek school district for 22 years, Scott said.
Until six years ago, Porter was also a coach of a Gulf Coast Volleyball Association club team, association director Vic Clifford said. Porter has since moved on to coach for another volleyball association.
“He even coached my son,” Clifford said. “He was a good coach. There were no type of allegations of (drug selling) as far as we could tell.”
Porter also coached at Absolute Volleyball Academy until this year, the academy's co-owner Jerry Linch said. News of Porter's arrest, "came as a complete shock to us," Linch said.
"The arrest and allegations are certainly disturbing for the directors, staff, players and parents at AVA," Linch said in a statement. "If, and when needed, we will cooperate fully with the police officials. At this time we have not been given any information that would lead us to believe that these allegations are in direct connection to anyone associated with our facility."
According to Porter’s online bio, he coached several Olympians and All-American volleyball players.
Also arrested were, Geoffrey Winlock Taunton, 45, who was charged with possession of a controlled substance, and Joshua Todd Decker, 21, was charged with possession of marijuana and possession of a controlled substance.
An 18-year-old Clear Springs student who arrived at the house and who was driving Porter’s car at the time of the arrest was not arrested, Wieners said.
Tesamorelin is a possible treatment for muscle wasting.
Theratechnologies, a Canada-based developer of therapeutic peptide products, has started screening of patients in a Phase 2 trial to assess tesamorelin as a treatment for muscle wasting in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Tesamorelin is a growth hormone-releasing factor (GRF) analogue that induces growth hormone production and its anabolic properties have led Theratechnologies to pursue its development in muscle wasting in patients with COPD as a second indication for the compound.
A previously concluded phase 2 trial in stable ambulatory COPD patients has demonstrated a statistically significant increase in lean body mass (LBM).
The study will evaluate the efficacy and safety of a daily administration of either a 2mg or 3mg dose of a new formulation of tesamorelin for a period of 26 weeks.
The double-blind, multi-center, placebo-controlled, randomized trial is expected to be conducted in 25 centers across US and Canada.
The company expects to enroll about 200 patients and the trial results are expected before the end of 2012.
Tesamorelin is a growth hormone-releasing factor (GRF) analogue that induces growth hormone production and its anabolic properties have led Theratechnologies to pursue its development in muscle wasting in patients with COPD as a second indication for the compound.
A previously concluded phase 2 trial in stable ambulatory COPD patients has demonstrated a statistically significant increase in lean body mass (LBM).
The study will evaluate the efficacy and safety of a daily administration of either a 2mg or 3mg dose of a new formulation of tesamorelin for a period of 26 weeks.
The double-blind, multi-center, placebo-controlled, randomized trial is expected to be conducted in 25 centers across US and Canada.
The company expects to enroll about 200 patients and the trial results are expected before the end of 2012.
First ever case of a British steroid user stealing to pay for his gear ?
A man who stole £9,430 of jewellery from his mother to pay for bodybuilding drugs has avoided being sent to jail.
Jamie Bentley took his mother’s treasured possessions and sold them in pawnshops in Witham and Colchester, a court heard.
Bentley, 24, admitted stealing the jewellery from his mother’s Halstead home between February and May last year.
He originally claimed the value of the items taken from Jill Bentley were less than the prosecution’s total, and a hearing had been arranged to allow Judge Charles Gratwicke to rule on this matter alone.
Bentley accepted the amount involved was £9,430 when he appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court. Judge Gratwicke told him: “This was a despicable and selfish course of conduct.
“You plundered the property of your mother, who had done you no harm.
“She brought you into this world, cared for you, brought you up and, no doubt, loved you. She probably still does.
“Your response was to abuse that trust and affection in order to meet your selfish desires.”
Bentley, of Beatty Gardens, Braintree, was given a nine-month jail sentence, suspended for two years, and told to pay his mother £9,430 compensation.
He was also given a 200-hour unpaid work order.
The judge said he was not sending Bentley to jail since he was due to start work as a dustman and could use his earnings to repay his mother.
Bentley’s lawyer, Lynne Shirley, told the court he was sorry for what he had done.
She said her client had been training at a gym and got involved in taking steroids and a growth hormone.
She said the items were expensive, so he started stealing from his mother to pay for them.
Miss Shirley added: “He made a stupid decision to take the jewellery and everything spiralled out of control.
“He wants to make good what he has done.”
Jamie Bentley took his mother’s treasured possessions and sold them in pawnshops in Witham and Colchester, a court heard.
Bentley, 24, admitted stealing the jewellery from his mother’s Halstead home between February and May last year.
He originally claimed the value of the items taken from Jill Bentley were less than the prosecution’s total, and a hearing had been arranged to allow Judge Charles Gratwicke to rule on this matter alone.
Bentley accepted the amount involved was £9,430 when he appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court. Judge Gratwicke told him: “This was a despicable and selfish course of conduct.
“You plundered the property of your mother, who had done you no harm.
“She brought you into this world, cared for you, brought you up and, no doubt, loved you. She probably still does.
“Your response was to abuse that trust and affection in order to meet your selfish desires.”
Bentley, of Beatty Gardens, Braintree, was given a nine-month jail sentence, suspended for two years, and told to pay his mother £9,430 compensation.
He was also given a 200-hour unpaid work order.
The judge said he was not sending Bentley to jail since he was due to start work as a dustman and could use his earnings to repay his mother.
Bentley’s lawyer, Lynne Shirley, told the court he was sorry for what he had done.
She said her client had been training at a gym and got involved in taking steroids and a growth hormone.
She said the items were expensive, so he started stealing from his mother to pay for them.
Miss Shirley added: “He made a stupid decision to take the jewellery and everything spiralled out of control.
“He wants to make good what he has done.”
New indictments in "Operation Juice Doctor 2".
Internal medicine specialist Dr. Timothy Sigman used a Sebastian clinic he owned to push steroid and human growth hormone prescriptions, and the vice president of recently shut-down Treasure Coast Pharmacy in Jensen Beach helped run the business and fill prescriptions through the pharmacy, according to new indictment documents.
Sigman, 40, of the 6000 block of 110th Street in Sebastian, was arrested Thursday along with Treasure Coast Pharmacy owner Peter Del Toro, his father and pharmacy vice president Richard Del Toro and pharmacy employee Jaclyn Rubino. Nine others also were taken into custody, including doctors, businesspeople and a chiropractor, according to the indictment.
Sigman, 40, of the 6000 block of 110th Street in Sebastian, was arrested Thursday along with Treasure Coast Pharmacy owner Peter Del Toro, his father and pharmacy vice president Richard Del Toro and pharmacy employee Jaclyn Rubino. Nine others also were taken into custody, including doctors, businesspeople and a chiropractor, according to the indictment.
The four Treasure Coast stakeholders were taken to Palm Beach County Jail, and the group of 13 faces various a 42-count indictment for attempting to distribute and actually distributing steroids, HGH and pain pills like oxycodone. Sigman, who works out of 1515 U.S. 1 in Sebastian, only faces charges for steroid and HGH distribution, according to the indictment. The 42-count indictment states the arrested parties could face a maximum of 20 years in prison.
Up until September 2010, Richard Del Toro, 60, of Port St. Lucie, helped manage Sebastian-based Health Transformations, a clinic owned and operated by Sigman at his home address, Department of State records show. The business dropped Richard Del Toro and added Sigman's wife, Elizabeth L. Sigman, as its registered agent last September, the records show.
Sigman employed medical professionals and salespeople, including the receptionist and office manager, to approve drug orders for steroids, HGH and other prescription drugs, the indictment said.
Customers paid Health Transformations for body-building, anti-aging and performance-enhancing drugs; the clinic sent Treasure Coast Pharmacy the order, and the pharmacy usually shipped the drugs right to its customers, according to the indictment.
Health Transformations cut checks to Richard Del Toro and Pharmville Consulting, a corporation of which Peter Del Toro, 38, of Palm City, is president, the indictment states.
DEA agents seized boxes of medical records from Treasure Coast Pharmacy during a late June raid. The agency hours later stripped the pharmacy's license to distribute controlled substances, and the state Department of Health ordered the pharmacy closed and suspended Peter Del Toro's pharmacist license.
Treasure Coast Pharmacy dispensed almost 11,000 steroid and human-growth hormone orders and 3,700 other addictive prescriptions, such as oxycodone, from October 2010 to March 31, according to a Department of Health emergency suspension order.
Doctors received the prescription orders, which were largely placed online, and signed off without in-person patient exams or regard for the orders' quantities or dosages, according to the order.
Peter Del Toro filled more than 84 percent of those prescriptions, according to the order, after 57 physicians — including 30 in Florida — signed off on them.
The drugs were shipped nationwide and internationally to locations like Finland, Guam and the Virgin Islands, according to the order.
The Department of Health still lists Sigman's doctor license as clear and active. He's board-certified in internal medicine, graduated from the American University of the Caribbean and completed a residency in Memphis, Tenn.
Sigman also has staff privileges at Indian River Medical Center and Sebastian River Medical Center, according to Department of Health records.
Department of Health spokeswoman Jennifer Hirst said the department has not yet decided if it plans to suspend Sigman's license.
It's not immediately clear if the arrest will affect his practice's operations.
“Operation Juice Doctor 2” targets Florida pill mills.
Thirteen individuals, including five doctors, one pharmacist and one chiropractor, were charged today for their participation in the illegal distribution of pain killers, steroids and human growth hormones through “pill mills” operating in Broward, Palm Beach and Martin Counties in Florida, and through the internet, respectively. The charges in this case, dubbed “Operation Juice Doctor 2,” involve a wide-ranging scheme to illegally distribute these drugs nationwide.
The indictment, filed August 31, 2011, and unsealed today, was announced by Tony West, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Division of the Department of Justice; Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida; and Mark R. Trouville, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Miami Field Division.
“According to the indictment unsealed today, these defendants were involved in a scheme to push dangerous drugs -- steroids, human growth hormone and oxycodone -- into the hands of buyers who lacked legitimate prescriptions,” said Tony West, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Division of the Department of Justice. “Sadly, the defendants include physicians who, we allege, were doctors doing harm: ignoring their oaths and obligation to put the health and safety of patients first.”
United States Attorney Ferrer stated, “Operation Pill Nation, Operation Snake Oil, Operation Oxy Alley, and now Operation Juice Doctor 2. In a span of just six months, we have attacked from every angle what can only be described as a homegrown prescription drug epidemic. In Operation Juice Doctor2, we have charged corrupt pharmacy and clinic owners, complicit doctors and employees, all of whom made a handsome living dealing in prescription drugs, while hiding behind a medical license. Working with our federal and local partners, we are shutting down these dangerous pill mills and internet pharmacy operations.”
DEA Special Agent in Charge Trouville added, “Today’s announcement reflects the Drug Enforcement Administration’s continued efforts to take the profit out of the illegal diversion of pharmaceutical drugs. Furthermore, we are sending the message once again to those that are still profiting and those who are considering entering this business, that we remain vigilant and aggressively pursue those conducting business outside the course of accepted medical practice.”
The 42-count indictment charges the defendants with numerous crimes, including conspiracy to distribute anabolic steroids (count 1); distribution of anabolic steroids (counts 2 through 21); conspiracy to distribute oxycodone (count 22); distribution of oxycodone (counts 23 through 25); conspiracy to distribute human growth hormone (count 26); distribution of human growth hormone (counts 27 through 41); and attempted importation of anabolic steroids (count 42).
Charged in the indictment are Peter DelToro, Pharm.D ., 38, of Palm City, Fla.; Richard DelToro, 60, of Port St. Lucie, Fla.; Jaclyn Rubino, 31, of Stuart, Fla.; Pedro Carrillo, M.D ., 52, of Escondido, Calif.; Jeffrey Perelman, M.D ., 54, of Fort Lauderdale, Fla; Paul Joyce, 49, of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.; Charles Cook, 50, of Palm Beach Gardens; Donald Montano, 74, of Jupiter, Fla.; Kevin Johnson, 41, of Jupiter; Craig Beaver, D.C ., 47, of Lake Worth, Fla.; Alan Lefkin, M.D ., 53, of Parkland, Fla.; Steven Pearlstein, M.D ., 56, of Coral Springs, Fla.; and Timothy Sigman, M.D ., 40, of Sebastian, Fla.
According to the indictment, Peter DelToro, Richard DelToro and Jaclyn Rubino operated Treasure Coast Specialty Pharmacy, in Jensen Beach, Fla ., and distributed steroids, human growth hormone and oxycodone to individuals and clinics across the nation and abroad. Other defendants named in the indictment allegedly operated various clinics, including “anti-aging,” “hormone replacement therapy” and “pain management” clinics. The indictment alleges that the clinics employed physicians who signed prescriptions that were written by clinic operators and salespeople. The indictment further alleges that the prescriptions were issued without a physical examination of the patient, outside the usual course of professional medical practice, and not for a legitimate medical need. The prescriptions were for controlled substances and human growth hormone for unapproved uses.
The indictment also alleges that the clinics forwarded the prescriptions to Treasure Coast Specialty Pharmacy in Jensen Beach for filing and shipment directly to customers and, at times, to the clinics. According to the indictment, the pharmacy owner illegally attempted to import steroids, of the same type used to fill the clinics’ prescriptions, from China.
Researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that Schedule II prescription painkillers, like oxycodone, today cause more drug overdose deaths than cocaine and heroin combined. Oxycodone and other Schedule II drugs have a high potential for abuse and can be crushed and snorted, or dissolved and injected, to get an immediate high. This abuse can lead to addiction, overdose, and sometimes death.
If convicted, the defendants face a statutory maximum penalty of 10 years in prison on counts 1, 7, 8, 10-14, 17-21 and 42; five years on counts 2-6, 9, 15, 16, and 26-41; and 20 years on count 22 through 25.
Today’s case is the result of the ongoing efforts of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), a partnership between federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. The OCDETF mission is to identify, investigate and prosecute high-level members of drug trafficking enterprises, bringing together the combined expertise and unique abilities of federal, state and local law enforcement.
The case was investigated by the DEA with assistance from the Food and Drug Administration’s Office of Criminal Investigations and the Boca Raton Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Cindy Cho of the Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch and Assistant United States Attorney Ellen L. Cohen.
An indictment is only an accusation and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
The indictment, filed August 31, 2011, and unsealed today, was announced by Tony West, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Division of the Department of Justice; Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida; and Mark R. Trouville, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Miami Field Division.
“According to the indictment unsealed today, these defendants were involved in a scheme to push dangerous drugs -- steroids, human growth hormone and oxycodone -- into the hands of buyers who lacked legitimate prescriptions,” said Tony West, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Division of the Department of Justice. “Sadly, the defendants include physicians who, we allege, were doctors doing harm: ignoring their oaths and obligation to put the health and safety of patients first.”
United States Attorney Ferrer stated, “Operation Pill Nation, Operation Snake Oil, Operation Oxy Alley, and now Operation Juice Doctor 2. In a span of just six months, we have attacked from every angle what can only be described as a homegrown prescription drug epidemic. In Operation Juice Doctor2, we have charged corrupt pharmacy and clinic owners, complicit doctors and employees, all of whom made a handsome living dealing in prescription drugs, while hiding behind a medical license. Working with our federal and local partners, we are shutting down these dangerous pill mills and internet pharmacy operations.”
DEA Special Agent in Charge Trouville added, “Today’s announcement reflects the Drug Enforcement Administration’s continued efforts to take the profit out of the illegal diversion of pharmaceutical drugs. Furthermore, we are sending the message once again to those that are still profiting and those who are considering entering this business, that we remain vigilant and aggressively pursue those conducting business outside the course of accepted medical practice.”
The 42-count indictment charges the defendants with numerous crimes, including conspiracy to distribute anabolic steroids (count 1); distribution of anabolic steroids (counts 2 through 21); conspiracy to distribute oxycodone (count 22); distribution of oxycodone (counts 23 through 25); conspiracy to distribute human growth hormone (count 26); distribution of human growth hormone (counts 27 through 41); and attempted importation of anabolic steroids (count 42).
Charged in the indictment are Peter DelToro, Pharm.D ., 38, of Palm City, Fla.; Richard DelToro, 60, of Port St. Lucie, Fla.; Jaclyn Rubino, 31, of Stuart, Fla.; Pedro Carrillo, M.D ., 52, of Escondido, Calif.; Jeffrey Perelman, M.D ., 54, of Fort Lauderdale, Fla; Paul Joyce, 49, of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.; Charles Cook, 50, of Palm Beach Gardens; Donald Montano, 74, of Jupiter, Fla.; Kevin Johnson, 41, of Jupiter; Craig Beaver, D.C ., 47, of Lake Worth, Fla.; Alan Lefkin, M.D ., 53, of Parkland, Fla.; Steven Pearlstein, M.D ., 56, of Coral Springs, Fla.; and Timothy Sigman, M.D ., 40, of Sebastian, Fla.
According to the indictment, Peter DelToro, Richard DelToro and Jaclyn Rubino operated Treasure Coast Specialty Pharmacy, in Jensen Beach, Fla ., and distributed steroids, human growth hormone and oxycodone to individuals and clinics across the nation and abroad. Other defendants named in the indictment allegedly operated various clinics, including “anti-aging,” “hormone replacement therapy” and “pain management” clinics. The indictment alleges that the clinics employed physicians who signed prescriptions that were written by clinic operators and salespeople. The indictment further alleges that the prescriptions were issued without a physical examination of the patient, outside the usual course of professional medical practice, and not for a legitimate medical need. The prescriptions were for controlled substances and human growth hormone for unapproved uses.
The indictment also alleges that the clinics forwarded the prescriptions to Treasure Coast Specialty Pharmacy in Jensen Beach for filing and shipment directly to customers and, at times, to the clinics. According to the indictment, the pharmacy owner illegally attempted to import steroids, of the same type used to fill the clinics’ prescriptions, from China.
Researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that Schedule II prescription painkillers, like oxycodone, today cause more drug overdose deaths than cocaine and heroin combined. Oxycodone and other Schedule II drugs have a high potential for abuse and can be crushed and snorted, or dissolved and injected, to get an immediate high. This abuse can lead to addiction, overdose, and sometimes death.
If convicted, the defendants face a statutory maximum penalty of 10 years in prison on counts 1, 7, 8, 10-14, 17-21 and 42; five years on counts 2-6, 9, 15, 16, and 26-41; and 20 years on count 22 through 25.
Today’s case is the result of the ongoing efforts of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), a partnership between federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. The OCDETF mission is to identify, investigate and prosecute high-level members of drug trafficking enterprises, bringing together the combined expertise and unique abilities of federal, state and local law enforcement.
The case was investigated by the DEA with assistance from the Food and Drug Administration’s Office of Criminal Investigations and the Boca Raton Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Cindy Cho of the Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch and Assistant United States Attorney Ellen L. Cohen.
An indictment is only an accusation and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Confusing claims in British court suggest steroids are not legal for personal use in the UK :-(
( or was the problem actually that the products in question were underground ? )
A BODYBUILDER caught with a stash of illegal anabolic steroids and testosterone was reprimanded at Swindon Magistrates’ Court.
Graham McAdams, of Grange Park, originally denied possessing class C drugs, because an official drugs education website says it is legal to possess or import steroids, providing they are in the form of a medical product for personal use.
However, the 31-year-old changed his plea to guilty on what was listed as his trial day yesterday after a ruling in another case damaged his potential defence.
Richard Thomas, prosecuting, said the matter came to light when police executed a warrant in Kennedy Drive, Eldene, on October 28, 2010.
Under McAdams’ bed, police found some tablets, which were seized as suspected controlled drugs and were later found to contain class C controlled drugs.
Police found 15 boxes containing what was described as Boldenone, but which was in fact a liquid containing the controlled drugs drostanolone, testosterone, nandrolone and boldenone.
They found 400 individual 100mg caplets of Stromba 10, which contains the controlled substance Stanozolol, an anabolic steroid.
They also found 104 tablets containing Stanozolol, as well as eight boxes of the controlled substance testosterone, three glass vials of Sustanol containing a quantity of testosterone, and one glass vial containing more testosterone.
Mr Thomas said: “All of these matters are controlled drugs under class C and they are all items which are used by individuals in body-building, athletes and the like to enhance performance and physique.
“Nevertheless, they are unlawful to possess.
“You no doubt will be aware of the problems that can be caused by the use of anabolic steroids and clearly they can have an effect on people very detrimental to their health and their behaviour.”
McAdams, an industrial plumber, of Marney Road, admitted seven counts of possessing class C drugs.
Amanda Thornton, defending, said McAdams is a contestant in body-building competitions and used the drugs as body-building enhancers.
She said he originally pleaded not guilty because the guidelines on the official drug education service website, Frank, suggested they were legal to possess in his case.
After that, she and McAdams contacted Avon and Somerset Police and the Avon and Somerset CPS, who both said possession of these drugs was not something they would prosecute for.
She said: “It’s extremely unclear for Mr McAdams what his position was on this.
“The guidelines by the Government stated it was legal for him to possess it if it was a medical product.”
However, Ms Thornton said as the case was progressing to trial, there was another case which established that anabolic steroids cannot be counted as medical products if used for bodybuilding purposes, until evidence can be produced to prove they are medical products.
She asked for magistrates to give him a lesser sentence on the basis that the information being given to the public through Frank was wrong and the legal situation was confusing.
McAdams was given a 12-month conditional discharge and told to pay £85 costs.
A BODYBUILDER caught with a stash of illegal anabolic steroids and testosterone was reprimanded at Swindon Magistrates’ Court.
Graham McAdams, of Grange Park, originally denied possessing class C drugs, because an official drugs education website says it is legal to possess or import steroids, providing they are in the form of a medical product for personal use.
However, the 31-year-old changed his plea to guilty on what was listed as his trial day yesterday after a ruling in another case damaged his potential defence.
Richard Thomas, prosecuting, said the matter came to light when police executed a warrant in Kennedy Drive, Eldene, on October 28, 2010.
Under McAdams’ bed, police found some tablets, which were seized as suspected controlled drugs and were later found to contain class C controlled drugs.
Police found 15 boxes containing what was described as Boldenone, but which was in fact a liquid containing the controlled drugs drostanolone, testosterone, nandrolone and boldenone.
They found 400 individual 100mg caplets of Stromba 10, which contains the controlled substance Stanozolol, an anabolic steroid.
They also found 104 tablets containing Stanozolol, as well as eight boxes of the controlled substance testosterone, three glass vials of Sustanol containing a quantity of testosterone, and one glass vial containing more testosterone.
Mr Thomas said: “All of these matters are controlled drugs under class C and they are all items which are used by individuals in body-building, athletes and the like to enhance performance and physique.
“Nevertheless, they are unlawful to possess.
“You no doubt will be aware of the problems that can be caused by the use of anabolic steroids and clearly they can have an effect on people very detrimental to their health and their behaviour.”
McAdams, an industrial plumber, of Marney Road, admitted seven counts of possessing class C drugs.
Amanda Thornton, defending, said McAdams is a contestant in body-building competitions and used the drugs as body-building enhancers.
She said he originally pleaded not guilty because the guidelines on the official drug education service website, Frank, suggested they were legal to possess in his case.
After that, she and McAdams contacted Avon and Somerset Police and the Avon and Somerset CPS, who both said possession of these drugs was not something they would prosecute for.
She said: “It’s extremely unclear for Mr McAdams what his position was on this.
“The guidelines by the Government stated it was legal for him to possess it if it was a medical product.”
However, Ms Thornton said as the case was progressing to trial, there was another case which established that anabolic steroids cannot be counted as medical products if used for bodybuilding purposes, until evidence can be produced to prove they are medical products.
She asked for magistrates to give him a lesser sentence on the basis that the information being given to the public through Frank was wrong and the legal situation was confusing.
McAdams was given a 12-month conditional discharge and told to pay £85 costs.
Tahitian customs agent and bodybuilder caught with steroids in New Caledonia.
A Tahitian body builder has received a suspended jail sentence after being found in possession of performance enhancing drugs in New Caledonia.
Steve Wong Foe, 31, was charged by customs with one count of illegal importation and a further police charge of possession of illegal substances. He has recieved a four-month jail sentence suspended for three years.
Wong Foe, who was due to compete in the Pacific Games, cried in court and said he wanted to go home.
To avoid jail, Wong Foe will be required to submit to regular drug tests and must not compete in body building during the three years.
The criminal conviction means Wong Foe will lose his job as a customs agent in Tahiti.
His lawyer, Jean Jacques Deswarte, says he will appeal.
Mr Deswarte said the sentence was too severe, and that he believed the court was trying to make an example out of his client.
Steve Wong Foe, 31, was charged by customs with one count of illegal importation and a further police charge of possession of illegal substances. He has recieved a four-month jail sentence suspended for three years.
Wong Foe, who was due to compete in the Pacific Games, cried in court and said he wanted to go home.
To avoid jail, Wong Foe will be required to submit to regular drug tests and must not compete in body building during the three years.
The criminal conviction means Wong Foe will lose his job as a customs agent in Tahiti.
His lawyer, Jean Jacques Deswarte, says he will appeal.
Mr Deswarte said the sentence was too severe, and that he believed the court was trying to make an example out of his client.
Prison guard caught buying steroids in IHOP car park.
A Broward County Sheriff's Office Correctional Deputy was busted after police say he was caught buying steroids in an IHOP parking lot.
David Agosto, 44, was arrested on August 6 and charged with possession of anabolic steroids, according to a Hollywood Police arrest report.
According to the report, members of the Hollywood Police's Street Crimes Unit were conducting surveillance in the parking lot of the IHOP at 2754 Hollywood Boulevard when they spotted Agosto and another man talking in the parking lot.
The other man, identified as David Kader, opened the trunk of a BMW and handed Agosto a pill bottle, the report said.
When Agosto got into a white Ford Crown Victoria, the officers moved in and stopped both men, the report said.
According to the report, when officers searched Kader's car, they found approximately 20,000 pills in his trunk, numerous glass jars with a liquid substance marked testosterone and numerous syringes throughout the trunk and car.
Police also found an AK-47 assault rife with two empty magazines in the trunk, a loaded .40 caliber Glock handgun underneath the driver's seat, and $2,821 in cash.
Kader was "trembling and appeared to be extremely nervous," the report said, and told detectives he was in the parking lot "selling his buddy some supplements."
When Agosto was approached, he handed detectives a Broward County Sheriff's Office Correctional Deputy ID card, the report said.
Police found a bottle containing 100 pills on Agosto, which matched those found in Kader's car, the report said. Officers also found a BSO uniform with a deputy star and a .40 caliber Glock in Agosto's trunk, the report said.
Agosto told detectives he'd bought pills from Kader, and Agosto was taken into custody, the report said.
Poison control later identified the orange pills found in both cars as Winstrol, an anabolic steroid, the report said. Other pills and the liquid were also identified as anabolic steroids.
Though it's unknown whether Agosto or Kader were taking the steroids, the report noted "Kader and Agosto are extremely muscular and heavy weight lifters."
BSO officials said Agosto has been with the department since 2002. He was suspended with pay on Aug. 8.
Both men bonded out of jail. It was unknown whether either has an attorney.
David Agosto, 44, was arrested on August 6 and charged with possession of anabolic steroids, according to a Hollywood Police arrest report.
According to the report, members of the Hollywood Police's Street Crimes Unit were conducting surveillance in the parking lot of the IHOP at 2754 Hollywood Boulevard when they spotted Agosto and another man talking in the parking lot.
The other man, identified as David Kader, opened the trunk of a BMW and handed Agosto a pill bottle, the report said.
When Agosto got into a white Ford Crown Victoria, the officers moved in and stopped both men, the report said.
According to the report, when officers searched Kader's car, they found approximately 20,000 pills in his trunk, numerous glass jars with a liquid substance marked testosterone and numerous syringes throughout the trunk and car.
Police also found an AK-47 assault rife with two empty magazines in the trunk, a loaded .40 caliber Glock handgun underneath the driver's seat, and $2,821 in cash.
Kader was "trembling and appeared to be extremely nervous," the report said, and told detectives he was in the parking lot "selling his buddy some supplements."
When Agosto was approached, he handed detectives a Broward County Sheriff's Office Correctional Deputy ID card, the report said.
Police found a bottle containing 100 pills on Agosto, which matched those found in Kader's car, the report said. Officers also found a BSO uniform with a deputy star and a .40 caliber Glock in Agosto's trunk, the report said.
Agosto told detectives he'd bought pills from Kader, and Agosto was taken into custody, the report said.
Poison control later identified the orange pills found in both cars as Winstrol, an anabolic steroid, the report said. Other pills and the liquid were also identified as anabolic steroids.
Though it's unknown whether Agosto or Kader were taking the steroids, the report noted "Kader and Agosto are extremely muscular and heavy weight lifters."
BSO officials said Agosto has been with the department since 2002. He was suspended with pay on Aug. 8.
Both men bonded out of jail. It was unknown whether either has an attorney.
Australia claims steroid seizures at an all time high.
Steroid abuse by everyday gym users is skyrocketing with thousands of people caught trying to import the drugs each year.
The amount of steroids being smuggled into the country at airports and through the postal system has more than doubled in the past five years, according to Customs figures.
Customs made 2695 seizures of steroids and growth hormones in the year to July 2010, a 155 per cent increase on the 1054 seizures made in 2004-05.
An explosion of websites selling the drugs with claims of "discrete (sic) shipping" and "no customs" is behind the rise as amateur body builders seek to exploit countries with lax drug regulations.
"The majority of performance-enhancing drugs are detected at the international mail gateways and are generally from internet sites located in overseas jurisdictions which do not exercise the same controls as Australia," a Customs spokesperson said.
Most of the drugs seized are being imported from the US, Thailand, Hong Kong, Bulgaria, China and the UK, Customs said.
The amount of steroids being smuggled into the country at airports and through the postal system has more than doubled in the past five years, according to Customs figures.
Customs made 2695 seizures of steroids and growth hormones in the year to July 2010, a 155 per cent increase on the 1054 seizures made in 2004-05.
An explosion of websites selling the drugs with claims of "discrete (sic) shipping" and "no customs" is behind the rise as amateur body builders seek to exploit countries with lax drug regulations.
"The majority of performance-enhancing drugs are detected at the international mail gateways and are generally from internet sites located in overseas jurisdictions which do not exercise the same controls as Australia," a Customs spokesperson said.
Most of the drugs seized are being imported from the US, Thailand, Hong Kong, Bulgaria, China and the UK, Customs said.
Australia's Mr Bench pleads guilty and gets fined for steroids stash.
A world champion weightlifter has escaped jail for a second drug offence.
Angelo Galati, known as “Mr Bench”, received a fine after pleading guilty to possessing a vial of steroids and breaching an intensive corrections order.
The testosterone vial was found in a sock drawer of the multiple Mr Universe winner in a police raid in November.
At the February 11 Moorabbin Magistrates’ Court hearing police prosecutor Leading Sen-Constable Cameron Cunningham said a vial was discovered after Galati’s home was searched.
Last January the 42-year-old Bentleigh East hairdresser received a 12-month intensive corrections order after pleading guilty to trafficking steroids, possessing a drug of dependence and receiving and possessing the proceeds of crime.
Almost 6500 anabolic steroid tablets, 16 vials of liquid and $16,835 in cash were seized during the September 2008 sting.
Sen-Constable Cunningham said police searches were thorough. “Police say there was nothing left (after the first search),” Sen-Constable Cunningham said.
But defence lawyer George Henderson said the drugs were part of the same cache located in the previous raid.
“The vial had been there a while ... it was there from what they didn’t take last time,” Mr Henderson said.
Magistrate Martin Grinberg fined Galati $400 and ordered the remaining days left on the ICO be completed.
Angelo Galati, known as “Mr Bench”, received a fine after pleading guilty to possessing a vial of steroids and breaching an intensive corrections order.
The testosterone vial was found in a sock drawer of the multiple Mr Universe winner in a police raid in November.
At the February 11 Moorabbin Magistrates’ Court hearing police prosecutor Leading Sen-Constable Cameron Cunningham said a vial was discovered after Galati’s home was searched.
Last January the 42-year-old Bentleigh East hairdresser received a 12-month intensive corrections order after pleading guilty to trafficking steroids, possessing a drug of dependence and receiving and possessing the proceeds of crime.
Almost 6500 anabolic steroid tablets, 16 vials of liquid and $16,835 in cash were seized during the September 2008 sting.
Sen-Constable Cunningham said police searches were thorough. “Police say there was nothing left (after the first search),” Sen-Constable Cunningham said.
But defence lawyer George Henderson said the drugs were part of the same cache located in the previous raid.
“The vial had been there a while ... it was there from what they didn’t take last time,” Mr Henderson said.
Magistrate Martin Grinberg fined Galati $400 and ordered the remaining days left on the ICO be completed.
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