Since anabolic steroids are controlled substances in the country, buying steroids without prescription or importing these drugs without proper authorization from the government is an illegal act. However, there are still many people who are trying to circumvent the law by importing these substances using obscured methods. Usually these drugs are misdeclared during importation.

Bodybuilder Bought Steroids from China

Just recently, a St Louis man pleaded guilty for illegally importing controlled substances from China. In his plea agreement, several doses of anabolic steroids and human growth hormones were purchased from China and then distributed to bodybuilders in local gyms in Missouri. He also admitted that some of these performance enhancing drugs were for personal use.

Keith Ashabranner, 32, of O’Fallon, Mo, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy charge to possess and distribute steroids and human growth hormone. His co-conspirator already pleaded guilty to the same charge last December. Ashabranner is a bodybuilder so some of the steroids were used to build his physique. Based on online reports, he purchased at least $32,000 worth of steroids and gained profit more than $30,000 in distributing these substances to fellow bodybuilders in the area.

Court records revealed that the defendant used fake custom declarations and claimed that the imported products were inexpensive goods. Ashabranner is scheduled for sentencing on May 4 and could face up to 12 months jail term. On the other hand, Gregory Loomans, the other co-defendant in the case, could face probation and up to 6 months jail term.

Foreign Nationals Pleaded Guilty for Selling Steroids to US Customers

In Pittsburg, two Ukrainians also pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges after authorities caught them importing and selling steroids in several states in the country. The arrest of one local dealer in Pittsburg resulted to the apprehension of the 2 Ukrainians. Authorities said that Oleksandr Skochyk, 35 and Yeveniy Suray, 29 of Kiev, Ukraine were involved in the illegal importation and distribution of steroids to at least three states in the US. The two allegedly sold at least 40,000 doses of anabolic steroids and synthetic testosterone to US customers. The steroids were manufactured in Ukraine and some were imported from China and Thailand.

The defendants will be sentenced on June 21 and could face up to five years in prison. The severity of the sanction will depend on U.S. District Judge Donetta W. Ambrose who handles this case. The defendants argued that, though they admit they sold steroids to US buyers, they were not the mastermind in the alleged steroids operation.

Powerlifter Banned for Life due to Steroids Importation

In a related story, an Auckland powerlifter was banned for life in his sport after authorities found him importing prescription medicines including those that are banned by the WADA. The Sports Tribunal in New Zealand handed the lifetime ban when a district court found Rodney Newman guilty of the said offenses.

The tribunal insisted that the lifetime ban is warranted because Newman had a previous doping violation. The powerlifter already received two-year suspension for doping in 2008. The Drug Free Sport initiated the complaint because Newman allegedly violated the terms of his suspension. The powerlifter was caught in possession of various anabolic steroids and refused to provide urine sample. He also worked as coach in a sport activity which was in violation of his suspension terms.

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