May 01 2010
Illegal Importation and Steroid Making Stopped by Law Enforcement Authorities
Any illegal activity will definitely not prosper as police officers and other enforcement agencies are continuously monitoring people with suspicious transactions and activities. The DEA and FDA are some of the agencies who want to stop illegal importation of banned substances particularly anabolic steroids and human growth hormones. What more if these people are manufacturing it without proper licenses? The campaign had continuously made apprehension across the country.
In Des Moines, a person manufacturing anabolic steroids inside his property was apprehended and charged by the police. DesMoinesRegister reported that Dale Douglas Kinkade, 31, of 12116 Ridgeview Drive, Urbandale was charged with possession with intent to deliver steroids and manufacturing of steroids. He was also charged with carrying an unlicensed weapon in a vehicle.
Investigators were able to seize various forms of steroids. Thousands of steroids pills and capsules and equipment used to manufacture steroids such as pill press, empty capsules, scale, pill bottles and empty vials were found at Kinkade’s property. Authorities also said that a computer was seized with formulas on how to manufacture steroids. Kinkade allegedly imported the raw materials from China and the Philippines.
The total value of the confiscated steroids were not yet available but according to some officers, a vial of liquid steroid can cost at around $100 to $150 when sold in the market. According to Des Moines Narcotics Investigator Tony Ballantini the suspect has all the materials from manufacturing to distribution of steroids. “He had a pharmacy, basically. He was making his own pills,” he said. They also suspected that these anabolic steroids will be sold to bodybuilders at most Iowa gyms and fitness centers.
The arrest of Kinkade was successful because of the help of Waterloo-Cedar Falls area drug task force which started the investigation. Their surveillance of a buyer led them to Kindade. The man who is from Waterloo was also arrested for drug charges. Ballantinni said that Kindade already cooperated with them but refuse to name his clients or the fitness centers because of the embarrassment that it may cause to them.
Meanwhile, in New Orleans, a man was also charged for illegal importation of human growth hormones from Europe. The US FDA and the sheriff’s narcotics division joined forces in conducting surveillance on the suspect. The package was shipped using US Postal Service and was addressed to a shipping store in Covington. Jarrod Jemison, 28, of 504 W. 19th Ave. was arrested after he claimed the package. Nola.com reported that the growth hormone is estimated at $2,000.
Jemison was already charged with possession with intent to distribute a legend drug without a prescription, possession of Schedule IV narcotics and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was released by posting $15,000 bail. Court hearing has yet to be announced.
[...] of the two suspects. The steroids were confiscated including other materials and equipment used to manufacture steroids. A computer was also seized from the suspects which can be used to track down their clients, [...]