We have reported in our previous blogs some instances where people tried to engage in illegal importation or sale of anabolic steroids. It seems that these people don’t care about the possible consequences of doing such activities. Most countries especially US, Australia and the UK do have stricter laws when it comes to these substances. Offenders usually face felony charges and payment of fines. Illegal steroids still proliferate because of the profit an individual can get from it. Selling illegal anabolic steroids is a lucrative business for some people.
This month alone, various arrests and charges were made by the authorities related to illegal importation and distribution of anabolic steroids. Individuals adopt different strategies to avoid the law but most of them failed because of strict monitoring of the authorities. For example, a man tried to avoid customs officers in Melbourne Airport by strapping vials and tablets of steroids to his legs. Another man hides thousands of grams of illegal steroids in his suitcase but was also arrested in Heathrow Airport. A football player tried to ship steroids using a courier but was later arrested because of suspicion about the content of the package.
A 35 year old man was arrested by the customs officials in Melbourne for trying to bring in hundreds of vials and tablets of steroids without any legal documents for importation. Melbourne airport officials seized 655 vials and 575 tablets of steroids strapped on his legs and on his baggage. The man said that he purchased the steroids from Bangkok. According to the customs and border protection, they confiscated a total of 1200 vials and tablets from the suspect. He will be facing a maximum penalty of 5 years in jail and/or a fine of $110,000 for illegal importation of performance enhancing drugs.
In Heathrow Airport, Parvez Atta, 37 of Main Road Darnall, tries to smuggle steroids using his two suitcases to hide the drugs. Customs officers inspected his luggage to see if he has some items to declare. Atta, initially denied any items that must be declared but forced to admit that he has steroids on his suitcases when customs officials started the search. Officials found 35 kilograms of testosterone. Atta, who boarded a flight from Karachi, said that he purchased testosterone from Pakistan for almost £6,000. Authorities said that the 14 thousand vials of testosterone are worth £40,000 on the black market.
Atta told the Isleworth Crown Court that he did not know it is not a legal steroids and classified as a Class C drugs under UK laws. If he was not apprehended, the drugs will be sold in the South Yorkshire area. His trial is still on going but he could face a prison sentence if convicted by the court.
A former football player of Blumburg University, Kelby Taylor, was also arrested for mailing anabolic steroids through Mail Room Etc. The clerk became suspicious when the man told him that he was sending some documents and cologne to a friend in Florida. When the police opened the package, they found 3 bottles of fluids and 2 envelopes containing cash. The bottles which were marked as “Winny 50″ and “Tren100″ were anabolic steroids Winstrol and Trenbolone Acetate. These are commonly used by bodybuilders to gain muscle mass. The total amount of cash found on the envelopes was $2,480.
Because of this incident, authorities raided his home and found more items which were believed to be various types of anabolic steroids. Several vials, packs of pills and syringes were confiscated from Taylor. He is now facing 12 charges which include 3 felony charges for manufacturing, delivery or possession with intent to manufacture or deliver. Another 3 counts of criminal conspiracy to manufacture, deliver, or possession of controlled substances and 3 counts of intent to possess controlled substance by a person not registered. He was also charged with 3 counts of use or possession of drug paraphernalia. Taylor was currently on bail.
The consequences awaiting people dealing with illegal anabolic steroids are harsh. Spending years in jail and paying fines is an agony. What is still best is to follow the law. If anyone wants to purchase anabolic steroids, it should be from legal sources. You should also look for steroid sources which provide authentic and legal steroids.
The FDA had issued warnings to companies marketing nutritional supplements for possible misbranding of their products. Based on FDA investigation, some dietary supplements contain traces of anabolic steroids or testosterone. This would make these supplement products into a classified drug which could only be taken with legal prescription. In addition, the FDA also issued a public health advisory warning consumers to stop using any bodybuilding supplements which may contain steroids or steroid like substances. Most of these dietary supplements claim to enhance or reduce androgen, estrogen or progestin like effects in the body. They are promoted as a hormone product or alternative to anabolic steroids. FDA stressed that these supplements has not been approved or reviewed by their agency as regards to its safety and effectiveness. Some supplements were also mislabeled because it does not provide adequate directions for use.
Nutritional supplements or dietary supplements continue to capture a wider market because of its popularity among bodybuilders and sports enthusiasts. According to the research of Nutritional Reviews, supplements industry remains to be a large multibillion dollar market. This is despite of the health issues being cast on these products specially sports supplements. Another research firm, BCC Research, estimated that the growth rate for this industry is more than 24% annually. The demand for sports supplements in 2008 is estimated at $31.2 billion. This is a significant growth from the 2007 figure which is $27.8 billion. Moreover, users can easily purchase these supplements over the counter without any medical or expert supervision. These supplements usually help in the muscle development, gaining strength and better body physique. However, FDA is concerned on the possible side effects of these supplements which may include liver injury and other complications.
One of the companies who were already affected by this directive is the American Cellular Laboratory (ACL). They were forced to pull out some of their products from the market last month. The FDA has identified 8 products from American Cellular Labs that contains anabolic steroids and classified them as “misbranded and unapproved new drugs.” In a press release, the FDA said, “Although these products are marketed as dietary supplements, they are not dietary supplements, but instead are unapproved and misbranded drugs.”
In the warning letter of FDA, the following Xtreme products of ACL contain traces of various types of anabolic steroids.
TREN-Xtreme:
Composition: 19-Norandrosta-4,9-diene-3,17 dione
Issue: Marketed as “similar to Trenbolone”
MASS Xtreme:
Composition: 17a-methyl-etioallocholan-2-ene-17b-ol
Issue: marketed as “similar to Methyl Testosterone”
MMA-3 Xtreme:
Composition: Androsta-1,4-dien-3,17-dione
Issue: marketed as “similar to Boldenone (Equipoise)”
VNS-9 Xtreme:
CompositionL: 17a-methyl-4-chloro-androsta-1,4-diene-3ß,17ß-diol
Issue: marketed as “similar to Turinabol”
TT-40-Xtreme:
Composition: 1-androsterone
Issue: marketed as “very similar to 1-Testosterone” and “converts to 1-Testosterone”
Mark Ullman, chair of the Legal Advisory Council for the Natural Products Foundation said that the supplement industry can and does encourage the FDA to pursue non-compliant, rogue companies. He said that nutritional companies must be careful of the claims that they make for their products and at the same time the substances included in its supplements. “As far as protecting itself, one thing the industry has done is set up a self-regulatory mechanism.” Recently, they have issued their own version of warning letter to its member companies. “Failure to respond to the Foundation will result in a referral of the matter to the FDA and/or FTC (Federal Trade Commission),” said Ullman.
Moreover, the FDA cautions professional athletes taking these nutritional supplements because it could lead them to a positive steroid test.
Chris “The Crippler” Leben who was suspended for nine months after a positive steroid test is now prepared for UFC 102 to be held in Portland. His last fight with Michael Bisping in England was a loss and at the same time he was sanctioned after the fight because of steroid stanozolol. It’s popularly known as Winstrol. He also lost one-third of his UFC 89 purse and including nutrition sponsors. In an interview with MMA Fanhouse, Leben is determined to prove himself again. He wants to move on and has learned his lesson.
During the interview with Mike Chiapetta, Leben was asked why he still took steroids even if that could lead to a positive test. He said that it was intended to help him during his training but he did not expect that he would fail a steroid test since he took the steroid stanozolol 8 months before the fight. “A little bit of disbelief. It was something that I wasn’t very happy about obviously. I didn’t realize it would stay in my system for so long,” he said. He used Winstrol to lose some weight during the training. “I guess curiosity killed the cat, so to speak. But again, I’m rehabilitated now,” Leben added.
He told MMA that he already paid the price for the mistake that he has done. “I mean everybody has the desire to win and everybody’s going to do what they can to win. The bottom line is - depending on your organization - if they tell you you can’t take protein, then you can’t take protein if that’s what the rule is. The rules are the rules and you’ve got to follow them. You’ve got to be fair, you’ve got to play within the guidelines and I didn’t do that and obviously I paid the price.”
He will be facing former NCAA champion wrestler Jake Rosholt in UFC 102 although he is not his first choice in his comeback fight in UFC. “He’s a fantastic wrestler, world-class, I mean a four-time all-American, he’s a national champ. Anyone that reaches that level in any sport is a consummate competitor. Obviously you have to respect those skills, which I do. At the same time, there’s definitely some other people out there in the weight class I would have picked first,” he said.
Leben considers this fight as a homecoming since he was raised in the Portland area. Right now, Chris Leben is running his Ultimate Fighting School in Honolulu.
Meanwhile, featherweight Cole Province of the World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC) is also facing a possible suspension from Nevada State Athletic Commission for a failed steroid test. NSAC executive director Keith Kizer issued a statement that Province was tested positive for Methasterone metabolite, a “designer steroid.” Methasterone was banned by the World Anti Doping Agency in 2005 but was previously sold as a legal over-the-counter dietary supplement.
The designer steroid which is also known as Superdrol is popular among bodybuilders and competitors for its diuretic and metabolic effects. Users can maintain and achieve better muscle mass while cutting weight. Methasterone is said to leave the system within 2 weeks after its use. So Province may also assume, just like Leben, that the steroid will not be detected in his system during the fight.
Province scored a unanimous-decision win over Fredson Paixao earlier this month at WEC 42 in The Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas. Other fighters tested by NSAC were Brian Bowles, Miguel Torres, Takeya Mizugaki, Dominick Cruz, Shane Roller, Leonard Garcia, Ed Ratcliff and Diego Nunes. Right now, Province is under temporary suspension while he is waiting for the decision. Sanctions may include suspension, fine and the possibility of declaring a no-contest.
After the leak of the names of players who were tested for steroids by MLB, the MLBPA announced that the controversial list contains results which may be actually ‘false positive’ for steroids. With the names of the players slowly coming out in media, the MLBPA at last gave some information on the supposed confidential steroid testing of all major league players in 2003. They confirmed that at least 8 of the players in the list were not considered positive for steroids. The number may still be more according to the players association. In another report, 13 of those results are still being contested by the players union.
The MLB also made a statement that the list seized by the government exceeds the number of maximum positives for the drug testing in 2003. The results which should be destroyed after the survey and must remain confidential were turned over to the authorities as part of the BALCO investigation in 2004. “There are more names on the government list (104) than the maximum number of positives that were recorded under the 2003 program (96).” Michael Weiner, the union general counsel and the commissioner’s office disputes on the total number of positive players. Weiner said that it is more than the agreed number as previously discussed by the MLB and the union.
Weiner was also quoted in an AP report that some of those players tested positive for steroids may be taking legally available nutritional supplements which could trigger an initial ‘positive’ test under their program. There are reports that one of the over-the-counter supplements being referred to by Weiner is 19-norandrostenedione. Although this supplement is legal at that time, it is believed that most players were using it including Mark McGwire and David Ortiz. The supplement is a precursor of the anabolic steroid nandrolone. In 2005, 19-norandrostenedione was added to Schedule III along with other anabolic steroids under the Controlled Substances Act.
The latest player who is being dragged into this controversy is David Ortiz who previously admitted that he took over the counter supplements and vitamins but categorically denied using steroids. “I definitely was a little bit careless back in those days when I was buying supplements and vitamins over the counter- legal supplements, legal vitamins over the counter- but I never buy steroids or use steroids,” said Ortiz of Boston Red Sox.
He was also believed to be one of the 104 players who failed the steroid test back in 2003. Although he confronted the issue, he is not happy how the media handles the news. He said that he was already judged by the media and the public. “Let me tell you what I know: I know that I’ve been tested 18 times,” he said. “Have you heard anybody talking about that? Nobody talk about that. But the bottom line is all people care about is selling bad news. Bad news is what makes the money, but sometimes you’ve got to sit down and think about things before you make that as a truth,” he added.
Alex Rodriguez, who is one of the players in the list came to the rescue of Ortiz’ remarks to the media. Rodriguez, a good friend of Ortiz, said that he had been there and experienced the same situation like what Ortiz is facing right now. “I’ve lived it. Whatever he did, I hope he feels better about it. I certainly did once I had my press conference.” A-Rod was forced to make a confession because of a Sports Illustrated report that he was included in the list. He admitted using the anabolic steroids “Boli” from 2001 to 2003. He said that facing the media and the public is embarrassing and humiliating but he was able to cope up with the situation.
Another professional wrestler made headlines this week for possession of a substance banned by wrestling organizations. Former olympian and Wrestler Kurt Angle was arrested by the police for possessing HGH or human growth hormone and for violating an order of protection. The 2 vials of HGH Hygetropin which was found in his car together with a syringe were confiscated by the police and he is bound to appear in court to face charges. However, Angle claimed that he had a prescription for the said drug.
Rick Rockwell and Mark Satrang of the Examiner reported that it is not the first time Kurt Angle was involved in performance enhancing drugs. During his days in the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), Angle already violated the WWE Wellness policy. He was tested for steroid Deca-Durabolin. He was also linked to an Arizona Doctor who prescribed steroids to several professional wrestlers including those who allegedly died because of steroids complications. Based on the records, Angle was able to get prescriptions for Trenbolone and Nandrolone (Deca-Durabolin) from October 2004 to February 2005. He also used HCG or human chorionic gonadotropin and another steroid stanozolol which is more popular as Winstrol. Some of these steroids were also reported prescribed to the late Eddie Guerrero who died from enlargement of the heart caused by constant use of anabolic steroids. Dr. David Wilbirt prescribed steroids and other performance enhancing drugs to patients through the internet which reach more than 3,000 prescriptions.
Due to an increasing number of steroid related issues and deaths of pro wrestlers, the WWE intensifies its drug testing policy. Under its WWE Wellness program, they are conducting steroid tests up to 4 times a year. Violators of this policy were publicly announced to assure transparency. The Total Nonstop Action (TNA) on the other hand conducts drug test once a year and is less transparent on its testing program. Kurt Angle currently works for TNA.
The human growth hormone found on Angle’s car is considered illegal if obtained without a prescription. Online information on Hygetropin showed that it is commonly used to help the growth and development of muscles. Hygetropin is identical to the growth hormone secreted by the human pituitary gland. It is composed of 191 amino acid sequence which controls human growth and development, immunization and metabolism. It has a direct effect on the development of human organs, cells, bones, cartilage, muscles, skin, blood vessels, nerves, liver and kidneys.
Some of its benefits includes increased energy, metabolism and helps in the production of IGF-1 and other hormones in the body. It also improves bone density and results in a better skin tone. For bodybuilders, its most notable effect is having lean muscles because of its fat burning characteristics.
Hygetropin can also cause some side effects to user from mild to severe complications if not used under medical supervision. Common side effects include swelling and pain in the joints. This HGH increases water retention and can cause hypertension. Other side effects are carpal tunnel syndrome, acromegaly, rare form of diabetes and possible death if not used properly.
Jim Ross who had business dealings with Kurt Angle said that he hope Angle can recover from this HGH problem. “If regrouping requires Kurt to leave pro wrestling and moving to other endeavors such as acting full time then so be it. Perhaps the former Olympic Gold Medal winning Freestyle Wrestler in the ‘96 Games in Atlanta puts too much physical pressure on himself in an athletic setting and may be more relaxed and happier if movies were his focus is not being a “jock,” Ross added.
Angle was immediately released after posting a bond and expected to face trial on Tuesday.
Earlier this month, Bronson Arroyo of Cincinnati Reds gave a statement to the media that he might be included in the infamous 104 list of players positive for steroids. He admitted that he took so many over-the-counter supplements and other performance enhancing drugs. It was in 1998 up to 2003 when he took androstenedione and amphetamines. Andro was banned by MLB in 2004 because it was tainted with steroids. Taking andro could cause a positive steroid test because it was laced with steroids like Winstrol.
After that interview, Arroyo was frequently flocked by media asking him what he knows about the steroid era. This is where most of the league’s best players are accused of using steroids and other performance enhancing drugs. Some major dailies also put him on the headlines. Arroyo knows the consequences of his revelations and most sportswriter commended his actions. He is different from other players who tried to deny steroid related allegations or were forced to make a public apology to redeem themselves. “This is what happens when you spit the truth,” Arroyo said when several media wait near his locker room after a game.
In an interview with the USA Today, Arroyo admits that he even took supplements which are not certified by the league. “I have a lot of guys in (the locker room) who think I’m out of (my) mind because I’m taking a lot of things not on the (MLB-approved) list,” he said. Aside from the 10 to 12 different supplements that he takes everyday, he still adds 4 more when pitching. “There’s a caffeine drink I take from a company that Curt Schilling introduced me to in ‘05. I take some Korean ginseng and a few other proteins out there that are not certified. But I haven’t failed any tests, so I figured I’m good,” Arroyo added.
But Arroyo did not stop talking about his own steroid use but also talks about steroids at large in the league. He believes much of the steroids climate is hypocritical. He said that fans were also part of the problem. They don’t even care about Manny Ramirez’ steroid issue. He also understands why some baseball legend like Hank Aaron complains about their records being tainted with steroids.
Arroyo told Mark Sheldon of MLB.com that he already presumed that he could be on the list. “Before that, you never knew what you were getting. The FDA doesn’t regulate things unless it’s killing people,” he said. “No one knows, of the 104 guys that are on there, if David Ortiz was taking a steroid or not taking a steroid. There are so many things out there that could have made us fail the test. I’m defending those guys and saying until you know the whole truth, you can’t really convict those guys. There are so many things out there that can make you test positive back in those days,” Arroyo added.
When asked about the potential health risk that could be associated with these supplements, Arroyo is not bothered. “I’d love to wake up in the morning, have some fruit, a bowl of cereal and have a good lunch and maybe take a multivitamin for the day,” he said. “The reality is I’m probably not going to be as good of a Major League pitcher if I did. I won’t be able to do those things until I retire. If you look inside this box [in my locker], it’s filled with stuff. I will continue to take the stuff.”
What is surprising with Bronson Arroyo is he never failed a steroid test even he admitted taking performance enhancing drugs. Although some of the supplements he is taking are not certified by the Major League Baseball, he still continues taking these substances to get a physical edge. It includes creatine, proteins, vitamins, ginseng and caffeine.
Although it created a lot of problems to some players in the league, the Cincinnati Reds pitcher is happy that MLB instituted mandatory testing. “I feel like the game’s getting cleared up,” he said.
We have reported in our previous blogs some instances where people tried to engage in illegal importation or sale of anabolic steroids. It seems that these people don’t care about the possible consequences of doing such activities. Most countries especially US, Australia and the UK do have stricter laws when it comes to these substances. Offenders usually face felony charges and payment of fines. Illegal steroids still proliferate because of the profit an individual can get from it. Selling illegal anabolic steroids is a lucrative business for some people.
The FDA had issued warnings to companies marketing nutritional supplements for possible misbranding of their products. Based on FDA investigation, some dietary supplements contain traces of 
After the leak of the names of players who were tested for steroids by MLB, the MLBPA announced that the controversial list contains results which may be actually ‘false positive’ for steroids. With the names of the players slowly coming out in media, the MLBPA at last gave some information on the supposed confidential 
Earlier this month, Bronson Arroyo of Cincinnati Reds gave a statement to the media that he might be included in the infamous