Jan 05 2011
Former Military Officer Busted in Operation Raw Deal Pleaded Guilty for Steroid Distribution
The guilty plea of a former military police officer was again considered a victory for law enforcement authorities especially the different agencies participated in the Operation Raw Deal. This is an inter-agency task force that initiated nationwide crackdown on illegal distributors of anabolic steroids. It was started in 2007 and they have already arrested and charged around 120 people who were involved in the illegal trade of steroids or engaged in manufacturing of these substances.
The latest guilty plea by a Southern California man showed that the federal government will not tolerate illegal business operation that may harm consumers. Based on the information obtained by the AP, Warren Abramson from Compton will file a guilty plea deal on Monday January 10. Under the agreement, Abramson will admit to 5 charges including possession with the intent to distribute a controlled substance and possession of weapons and ammunitions.
The maximum sentence for these offenses is up to 55 years jail term and fines that could reach up to $1.25 million. However, the plea agreement will reduce the sentence to just a few years and a minimal fine.
Abramson was one of the big fish caught by Operation Raw Deal. Court documents showed that aside from his online business where he sells steroids to clients, Abramson was also manufacturing his own products. He rented a building in Compton to illegally manufacture anabolic steroids and other controlled substances.
According to the authorities, a raid on Abramson’s premises yielded 6,400 grams of anabolic steroids. These are already bound to be distributed to his clients. Anabolic steroids are usually sold to bodybuilders and professional athletes. The main function of steroid is to build muscles and improve strength and stamina.
If the illegal operation of Abramson was not curtailed, the steroids could be converted to 255,000 dosage units. The health of thousands of users could be at risk since the product came from an underground laboratory. The quality, proper dosage, and the kind of ingredients used to manufacture the drugs are always the main concern of the authorities. Steroids coming from these sources usually result to severe side effects such a liver and heart problems.
Authorities also seized from Abramson thousands of ammunition and firearms. Prosecutors said that Abramson was in possession of 4 firearms, 3 silencers, and more than 4,500 rounds of ammunitions.
The Operation Raw Deal was able to seize at least 11 million doses of steroids and human growth hormone. They have dismantled 56 illegal laboratories around the country and have charged more than a hundred individuals involved in the trafficking and distribution of steroids in the country. There are also several countries that participated in this crackdown including China, Thailand and Mexico. These countries are the common sources of raw materials used by illegal manufacturers of anabolic steroids. Other countries that cooperated in the investigation include Canada, Australia, Belgium, Denmark, Sweden and Germany.
[...] information is backed up by a thorough investigation by the DEA which started in 2007. The “Operation Raw Deal,” which is considered as the most successful operation of the DEA against anabolic steroids, [...]