Detectives of the Polk County sheriff said that they have found hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of anabolic steroids in the Creek Drive home of Richard Thomas. Now, Sheriff Grady Judd is trying to find out on where the said drugs really came from. Police documents show that drugs came in packages from other countries outside the United States. During the investigation, Thomas disclosed that he bought the steroids and other substances in China, Russia, Iran and other Middle Eastern countries. Judd asked on how Thomas got the drugs from Iran and Pakistan. “I mean, after all if that can be imported from Iran and Pakistan, what else, and that scares me.” Judd also said that the federal complaint against Thomas means that the 35-year-old suspect could face federal charges.

Meanwhile, Public Information Officer Dan Keefe of the U.S. and Border Protection said one way drugs like these can get into the country legally and then sold with fake prescriptions. Another way is legally imported by one person and then illegally sold to another. Banned substances can also be smuggled or brought in as chemicals and then made and distributed. Keefe also added that “they’re probably imported into another country that does deal with Iran and then falsely claimed as country of origin when they are shipped here if they’re shipped in legally.” “If they’re shipped in illegally, then somebody smuggles then into the border of Iran into a country we do have dealings with and then they smuggle them into this country.”

Drug officials who raided the house of Thomas found a drug called Oxymetholone, which is believed to be obtained from Iran. Cynthia Younger, the medical director of the Florida Poison Information Center of Tampa explained that the said drug is used to fight HIV in the United States. Oxymetholone is approved by the FDA with limitations because of its potential side effects. Younger added that Oxymetholone and other controlled anabolic substance can heighten the risk of heart attack and can also increase bad cholesterol, clotting and plaque. She further explained that “these drugs can also cause an increase in liver cancers, liver failures and even cause blood-filled cysts in the liver.” Psychosis, rage and addiction can also be the side effects of this drug.

Though there were already plenty of evidence that the Thomases were big-time steroid dealers, authorities still have to determine whether Thomas was telling the truth when he said that he is the biggest steroid provider in Central Florida. Thomas also claimed that he sold steroids mostly to professional athletes, including those on the Washington Capitals hockey team and the Washington Nationals baseball team.

Because of the allegations made by Thomas, the National Hockey League (NHL)is now investigating on the veracity of his claims in the possession and importation of steroids to any of its players. The NHL recently interviewed members of the Washington Capitals’ front office, medical and training staffs. “We’re following very closely the developments in Florida as the case progresses,” NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly told The Washington Post. “We think it’s important from the league’s perspective to investigate this because any allegations of this type are concerning.”

The Post also reported that NHL has still not seen any connection between Thomas and the Caps. Major League Baseball is also cooperating in the case. The NHL probe is headed by its security and legal departments. The interviews with Capitals personnel are also ongoing.

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