In a case regarding improper property seizure of a car and bank account belonging to arrested steroids dealer Bruce Kneller, the Supreme Judicial Court in Boston ruled that the state troopers did not act improperly in seizing the aforementioned items before Kneller’s trial. Bruce Kneller, 38, of Canton was arrested in 2006 for selling steroids over the internet and participating in a steroids distribution ring. Known as the “steroids guru” in the bodybuilding world, Kneller once boasted that he delivered thousands of illegal steroid packages without getting caught.

During his trial, Bruce Kneller pleaded guilty in Norfolk Superior Court to 45 drug charges and gun indictments related to steroids distribution and manufacture, which was marketed on the Internet. Judge Judith Fabricant sentenced Kneller to two years and one day in jail, which he started serving April 23, 2007. The court ruled that when Kneller’s Blue Hills Village condo in Canton was searched by the state troopers, $124,000 worth of illegal steroids were found. Among these were 200,000 steroid capsules and 10 unregistered guns.

According to the prosecutors, Kneller packaged tens of thousands of steroid pills and shipped them around the country to customers gotten from the Internet. Customers were said to have emailed Kneller asking for a pricelist, and Kneller typically offered $75 for a bottle of steroid pills. The customer would then be put in touch with a second person in California for the payment instructions, which usually was to pay in cash wrapped in aluminum foil. The emailed steroid price list were seized from Kneller’s emails and in it, Kneller boasted that he had been in business for more than seven years and had passed the 15,000 orders shipped mark without being caught or intercepted.

A former registered nurse, Kneller was said to have shipped the steroids with labels marked with “Red Star Laboratories” to make them seem safe and legitimate. Commenting on the labeling, Norfolk District William Keating said that it is important that athletes who are ordering and taking these kinds of drugs recognize that the substance is not safe on many levels.

The State Police consequently froze Kneller’s Bank of America account, which contained more than $200,000, and also seized his 2004 Audi. Kneller’s lawyers contended that the seizure may have been done improperly since the car and account were not directly derived from the criminal act.

According to the state law, the state authorities are allowed to seize property that is used in criminal acts. The court ruling last Tuesday said that the right of seizure also applies to property or items that are not directly used in the commitment of crimes. It ruled that the state authorities are allowed to confiscate items that were believed to be or probably derived from illegal drug transactions like anabolic steroids.

The authorities’ camp contended that they had probable cause to believe that there was an existing connection between Bruce Kneller’s Bank of America account and his illegal drug operation. The state also said that it needed “reliable information … that established probable cause” for such a connection and that it did not have to establish whether the car and the bank account stemmed directly from the illegal drug transactions.

Angel Brito from Dickinson claimed that a dietary supplement manufactured by TF Supplements caused severe and permanent damage to his liver and has consequently filed a lawsuit against the company. Brito claimed that he became jaundiced, suffered several weeks of uncontrollable itching, and experienced extreme pains in his side after taking P-Drol, which is a steroid precursor and manufactured by TF Supplements. P-Drol is marketed to weight lifters and fitness enthusiasts as a muscle-building supplement.

The original complaint was filed in February 4 in the Gavelston County District Court. In it, Brito stated that he experienced liver failure after taking P-Drol. He also claimed that the supplement contained an ingredient that was known to be taxing to the liver, yet the product was marketed as a dietary supplement.

The Food and Drug Administration issued a public health advisory on July 28, 2009, warning consumers against taking steroids or steroid precursors marketed as dietary supplements and advised the public that those who took these supplements and showed signs of liver problems should immediately seek medical attention.

According to Brito’s story, he became ill on October 5, 2009 and went straight to the Clear Lake Regional Hospital emergency room. In the suit, Brito claimed that the doctors detected extremely elevated levels of bilirubin in his system and that his liver was swollen and enlarged, both side effects from taking the supplement. After taking P-Drol, Brito said that his weight dropped almost 30 pounds and that he spent several days in the hospital as doctors monitored his bilirubin number. Brito even contemplated a liver transplant. Brito was eventually discharged from the hospital and was instead referred to a liver specialist for continued medical care. He underwent weekly checkups that included CAT scans, blood sampling and MRIs.

Brito also alleged that he continues to suffer from constant itching, debilitating fatigue, weight loss, and nausea. He has also developed a mass behind his pectoral muscle. In filing the suit, Brito seeks damages for mental anguish, pain and suffering, impairment, disfigurement, and medical expenses, and is demanding a trial by jury. Representing the plaintiff is the Gibson Law Firm in Houston. The case will be presided by Galveston County 56th District Judge Lonnie Cox.

TF Supplements has yet to comment regarding the lawsuit. It seems that the product P-Drol has been pulled out of their inventory since it is no longer available in their website as well as in other bodybuilding sites. There are also no online reviews available on the supplement, as well as complete product information on P-Drol on the web. TF Supplements has a large catalog of bodybuilding and fitness products, as well as supplements for enlarging muscle mass. Some of the products that can be viewed and bought from their site include creatine, glutamine and anabolics. They also market and distribute mood enhancer, libido enhancer, post-workout products, pre-workout products, fitness accessories, meal replacements, protein stacks, vitamins, and testosterone boosters. They distribute products from various manufacturers and labels. On their website, there is no information regarding their origin, history or background.

The start of the Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Canada created a buzz because of steroid issues. When the torch relay started in Greece, an Olympian with steroid case was allowed to participate in the torch relay. Fani Halkia, who is still serving her 2 year suspension for taking steroids in Beijing Olympics, completed one leg in the torch relay. The IOC was not happy with that incident but they have another stand on the case of Actor Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger who also admitted that he used steroids when he was still active in bodybuilding competitions.

The IOC’s effort to clean the Olympics with performance enhancing drugs and its firm stand against steroid use could be questioned for allowing Governor Schwarzenegger to participate in the final leg of the torch relay. There was an earlier report that the governor asked to carry the torch because he wanted to highlight his contribution in the environment. However, this was cleared by his spokesperson. They said that its was British Columbia Premier Gordon Campbell who asked the former bodybuilder to be part of the activity. John Furlong, the head of Vanoc, defended their decision to include the governor in the event. “He has taken an extraordinary position on the environment and has developed a great relationship with the province of British Columbia,” Furlong said.

The 106-day, 28,000-mile relay ends Friday by handing down the Olympic Torch to the chairman of the 2012 London Olympics. The 62-year-old actor governor of California jogs through Vancouver’s Stanley Park where he gave the torch to Olympian and head of London Olympics Sebastian Coe. Other personalities who participated in the event were songwriter Michael Buble and Walter Gretzky. Sebastian Coe, who is considered by some people as the future head of the International Olympic Committee was happy to recieve the torch from the governor. Coe was asked by the media about the things that they talked about during the meeting with the former bodybuilder. “I invited him to come to the London Games,” Coe said. He added that they haven’t quite got as far as working out who the torch bearers will be yet when asked about their torch bearers in the London 2012 Olympics.

People would be asking why the governor? The IOC has an explanation to the issue. According to the spokesperson of the International Olympic Committee, Governor Schwarzenegger’s role in the torch relay will not compromise the IOC’s stance against drug cheats. “we accept all people have served time, and they’ve talked about what they’ve done. We will accept some concept of rehabilitation,” said Mark Adams, IOC spokesman. “He’s now a very respectable governor of the largest state in the United States,” Adams added. “So I imagine under that set of circumstances, we would be happy to have him,” said Adams in an interview.

Arnold Schwarzenegger was a competitive bodybuilder and a famous actor before he entered into politics. Some of his top grossing movies include Terminator. In in interview with Barbara Walters, Schwarzenegger talked about his steroid use. “I take steroids because they help me an extra 5 percent. Women take the pill. They are somewhat similar. I do it under a doctor’s supervision,” he said. In another interview in 2005 Schwarzenegger said that he did take steroids during the peak of his career as a champion bodybuilder. He has no regrets since they were legal at that time.

A comment by a reader of LA Times said that the Olympian Torch is an honor that should be reserved for the best of the best. “The ones that worked hard, played by the rules, succeeded without illegal substances and have since stayed the course. It should not be used as a photo opportunity to further a political career,” said Margo.

Toronto, Canada

An alleged member of international drug ring was tracked by federal authorities in Canada. They are responsible for trafficking steroids, untaxed cigarettes and counterfeit merchandise. The arrest of Myfit Dika in Toronto was made thru the help of Toronto Fugitive Task Force. Dika, 44, was one of the 26 people who were charged in March 2009 for narcotics and firearms trafficking and money laundering. According to the report of nj.com, one suspect is still at large. The authorities said that the group operated in most northern cities of New Jersey with extended operation in Brooklyn and Staten Island in New York. The members of the drug ring were reported having ties with other illegal groups in Albania, Kosovo, Macedonia, Serbia and Canada. Investigation revealed that the group is responsible for importing cocaine, marijuana, Oxycodone, anabolic steroids and counterfeit goods.

Catalan, Spain

The continued effort of the Catalan police and other law enforcement agencies to curtail illegal sale of steroids lead to the arrests of eleven people in various cities of Spain. The joint efforts between the Autonomous Police and the Guardia Urbana were successful and they believed would affect the operation of illegal groups in Spain particularly those who are involved in selling illegal anabolic steroids. Based on the reports, authorities were able to apprehend five people in Cadiz, five in Catalonia particularly in Martorell, Penedes, Badalona, Begues and Castelldefels and one in Malaga.

The searches conducted in several Spanish and Portuguese towns yielded 15,000 doses of anabolic steroids. It was noted that some of the steroids were packaged and labeled in Russian and Arabic. Authorities also discovered that most of the steroids were fake or its actual composition does not match with the labels. These misbranded steroid products increase the risk to people consuming them.

Panama City

A night club owner was arrested and charged for possessing a controlled substance with the intent of distributing and trafficking the items confiscated from him. Toomas Saarva, an Estonian national, was arrested at the Grand Slam Bar located in Parker. Authorities said that they were able to seize 1,000 vials of steroids from the suspect. The steroids were imported from Estonia but the expiration date was 2007. Saarva allegedly covered the labels with new one and sell it to the public.

Detective Aaron Wilson, the head of the investigation, said in an interview that it is the largest steroid bust in the area. He also commented on the status of the products seized. “Besides injecting an illegal substance, [buyers are] using expired substances, so there may be health issues with that,” he said. Since Saarva holds a visitor passport in the US, he will be facing deportation after the case is heard in court.

Blacktown, Australia

A member of a notorious criminal group in Indigo Way, Blacktown faced charges for possessing prohibited drugs, two counts of possessing anabolic steroids, and possessing a prescribed restricted substance. The suspect Jihad Murad, 24 years old, was arrested by Strike Force Raptor officers who investigate outlaw motorcycle gangs in the area. Murad posted bail and is expected to appear in court on February 19. Strike Force Raptor also conducted a raid last year in Griffiths Ave, Blacktown where they seized MDMA, steroids, and restricted substances.

A temporary dope-testing lab in Richmond, British Columbia in Canada is considered to be the most sophisticated lab of its kind in the world. It is already up and running intended for testing athletes in the 2010 Winter Olympics, to be held in Vancouver. The lab is built behind the speed skating oval in Richmond and is under heavy security. The lab has already run more than 200 doping tests, and so far, there is no news of any positive test results of steroids and other banned substances from an athlete. Lab director Christiane Ayotte, who also runs the dope-testing facility in Laval, Quebec, conducted a tour for the news media early this week and mentioned that they are currently conducting pre-competition testing. She said that this was something that the International Olympic Committee implemented recently, considering the possibility that doping agents may be used not only during the competition but in preparation for it.

To catch cheaters before they have a chance of entering another event, the Olympics require an on-site laboratory that is fully equipped and fully staffed and where test results are in within 24 to 36 hours. In a permanent laboratory, a urine or blood sample takes 10 days to process. The lab in Richmond will operate 24 hours a day throughout the Winter Games, staffed with about 35 people. The lab will be processing more than 400 blood tests and 1,600 urine tests, approximately 90 samples per day. An addition 400 tests will be processed in March for the Paralympics.

Half of the lab’s equipment came from the permanent Laval lab while the rest of the equipment, which includes some of the latest technology for sample analysis, came from all over the world. The Richmond lab will be dismantled after the Games and the newly acquired machinery, which Ayotte considers to be part of the 2010 Olympics legacy, will go to the Laval lab.

The dope-testers are confident that their new equipment and advanced techniques have significantly improved and that they are winning the war against steroids and banned substances; although they do not promise that they will catch every cheater this year. Vice President of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and Chairman of the IOC medical commission Arne Ljungqvist added that the methods they have today are far better than they were 20 years ago and he believes that the Games are getting cleaner and cleaner every time. Today’s testing equipment can detect traces of substances 1,000 times smaller than five years ago.

As dope testing equipment get more and more sophisticated, so do steroids and banned substances. But Ayotte said that they are confident that everything detectable should be detected by them, and that they have the best people in their lab. Most of the Richmond staff come from the permanent lab in Laval while the rest come from around the world, from WADA-accredited facilities in Cologne, Germany, Paris, Vienna and Lausanne, Switzerland. Top experts in the anti-doping field and lab directors from the last two Olympic Games in Turin, Italy and Beijing, as well as people for the next 2012 Summer Olympics in London are also part of the team.

Many eyebrows were raised upon hearing of the news that Bill Romanowski was interviewed by the Washington Redskins for the position of strength and conditioning coach. Known for a notorious 16-year career, Romanowski is perhaps one of the biggest bad boys in the history of the league, often caught in the middle of scandals and controversies during his time. Nevertheless, despite all his delinquency and bad behavior whether rumored or true, Romanowski may just be perfect for the job as it is well-known that only a few professional athletes can match his extensive workout routines. The reason why Romanowski lasted so long and successfully in the NFL even when bombarded with scandal after scandal is his extreme commitment to keeping physically fit and maintaining his body. Romanowski did intense stretching routines and endured extreme levels of pain just to make sure he could play in the field at optimal strength every Sunday.

In addition to strict workout routines, Romanowski also took a lot of supplements and took diet and nutrition to the extreme. Romanowski even had a special pill box that he showed in a special television feature years ago. The case was divided into various squares, which held and separated the different supplements and pills he took every morning, which must have exceeded 20 kinds. Romanowski may be nasty and vicious but his commitment to sacrifice more than most players would be willing to just to stay on top of the game is a significantly positive point that can benefit the Redskins.

The biggest and hardest hurdle, however, is the fact that Romanowski used steroids in the past. This is harder to justify than any other scandal linked to him as the ethical and moral implications taint his credibility to be a fitting coach.

Romanowski admitted to using steroids and human growth hormones during his career when he appeared in 60 Minutes in 2005. He added that the drugs were supplied to him by Victor Conte, the infamous guy behind the BALCO scandal. If Romanowski does become the strength and conditioning coach of the Washington Redskins, he will no doubt face a lot of criticism from fans and the media but they may eventually get over it.

Compared to baseball fans, NFL fans are less wary or concerned about whether players use steroids or not. Football players are expected to be enormous in size and part of the entertainment is seeing them beat each other up in the field sixteen times a year, excluding the preseason and the playoffs.

Even with rumors of rampant steroid use within the league, the NFL is doing all that it can to discourage steroid use. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell strengthened the league’s drug policy in 2007 by including more frequent drug testing and harsher penalties; those who test positive for the first time will be suspended for one-fourth of the season (or four games).

Perhaps, what Bill Romanowski can do is to learn from his experience with steroids, both good and bad, and educate current players about the negative long term effects of the drug to discourage players from using it. Maybe then he would make an awesome strength and conditioning coach.