We always heard of steroid cases involving police officers. Most of them used the drugs in the belief that it could help them improve their physique and become more effective law enforcement officers. And now, steroids and growth hormones also seep into a federal agency which is supposed to enforce the law on illegal entry of prohibited and controlled substances. Though this may be considered as an isolated incident but the involvement of some federal agents into unlawful acts could ruin the reputation of their agency.

The Seattle Times reported recently that a federal agent pleaded guilty for importing human growth hormone from China. The former agent worked with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Blaine. The spokeswoman for the ICE, Lorie Dankers confirmed to the media that Sean Patrick Ganley, 37, of Bellingham previously worked with the agency. Dankers said that Ganley was a former Tacoma police officer and is not connected anymore with the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency. She also declined to give additional information on the employment records of Ganley because of the on-going trial.

The case was filed against Ganley after customs agents in the JFK International Airport in New York discovered a package containing human growth hormone which originated from Beijing. In April 2008, the Food and Drug Administration’s Office of Criminal Investigations officially filed charges against the federal agent. It was also revealed that Ganley intentionally used fictitious information in purchasing steroids from China. He used a false telephone number and a fake address when he sent money to China three times.

Anabolic steroids and human growth hormones can be can be used for some medical condition and can be purchased with valid prescription from a doctor. However, importation of these controlled substances is illegal. In the case of Ganley, the prosecution is expecting that he will be sentenced the maximum jail term of 10 years. This is aside from other possible penalties that may be imposed by the court such as community service and fines. He may be given a fine of up to $500,000.

James McDevitt, the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington in Spokane handled the case to avoid a potential conflict of interest since Ganley had worked with federal prosecutors in Seattle. “We expect the utmost honesty and integrity of our federal law-enforcement officers,” said McDevitt. He said that erring federal agents will not be tolerated. “It will not be tolerated when they break the very laws they are sworn to uphold,” he said. A U.S. District Court in Seattle is expected to make the sentencing on Sept. 13.

This case should serve as a lesson to law enforcement officers. Even though they are given the power to enforce the law, its application does not exclude them. Law enforcement officers should think twice in buying steroids or human growth hormone even if their purpose is to improve job performance.

Trackback URI | Comments RSS