Federal agencies like the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) have intensified their campaign against the sale of illegal anabolic steroids. But it seems they have to exert more effort in curtailing the proliferation of products that contains potent steroid ingredients. Anybody can still purchase steroids from online sources easily. And guess what, you can have one from your favorite online retailer Amazon.com. This was recently revealed by the country’s top steroid expert Don Catlin.

Don Catlin and his son told the Washington Post that they were able to purchase at least 10 muscle enhancing products from reputable online retailer Amazon.com. These muscle building dietary supplements were purportedly legal supplements. The Anti-Doping research Lab based on Los Angeles tested 4 of these products for steroid content and 3 returned positive results. Oliver Catlin, the vice president and chief financial officer of the laboratory said that these products should not be available to the general public. “Finding them a mouse-click away from the general public seems incredibly dangerous. These things shouldn’t be sitting at people’s fingertips,” he said.

The Catlin’s already provided the FDA, DEA and the online retailer about their findings. They are worried about the ingredients of some of the supplements tested because it contains potent steroids which can cause serious health problems. “They certainly shouldn’t be at the fingertips of high school students and so forth, and they are there available to anyone.” said Oliver.

Catlin noticed that the online retailer did not impose any restrictions to buyers of these anabolic steroid products. There was no age or other ordering restrictions before an individual can purchase steroids. The site, according to them, did not provide any health warnings. “To me, it’s absolutely an amazing story.. to just go on Amazon.com and order anabolic steroids,” said Don Catlin, CEO of the Anti-Doping lab.

Another finding that authorities must take immediate action is about the quality of the supplements offered in the online store. Catlin said that none of the products tested were of medical-grade quality. Aside from the usual side effects of these steroids, the consumer may also suffer from other health problems.

Based on the lab results, supplement products from Competitive Edge Labs showed traces of potent steroids Madol, Tren and Methasterone. It was found on P-Plex, X-Tren and M-Drol. However, the manufacturer claimed that they already discontinued the production of these supplements a year ago. In 2009, the FDA requested the recall of at least 65 steroid products due to health concerns. But Catlin argued that the products that they purchased had fresh expiration dates.

Some supplement manufacturers spiked their products with steroids to make it more effective in muscle building. However, putting anabolic steroid on these dietary supplements is illegal. Methastherone for example can lead to adverse side effects like liver failure. It was already in the prohibited list of the World Anti-doping Agency. The steroid Methastherone is also popular as methyldrostanolone, Superdrol and M-Drol. Variation of this steroid is also available from other online retailers.

Another potent steroid found was Madol. This steroid is under the DEA’s controlled substance list but it is still commonly found in other health supplements. Madol was first identified during the BALCO scandal as one of the designer steroids developed during that time.

These products are not the only supplements being offered in the online store. Though, Catlin said that only one product was shipped directly from Amazon’s warehouse, their retailers have enough supply of these steroids. “There’s a million other products on sale on Amazon that are similar to the ones we analyzed,” said Oliver. “It’s an easy place to shop and look for these things. They remain widely available.” The SeattleWeekly also reported that steroid supplements such as P-Plex, Finaflex, and Phera-Plex are still available from Amazon.

Meanwhile, Amazon.com has not issued any comment on this allegation.

If not for their lavish lifestyle, a couple might be still operating their illegal steroid importation business. They spent a lot on luxury holidays, cars, boats and homes. The couple had also acquired several properties both locally and abroad. With this kind of lifestyle it would be very easy for the authorities to look into their kind of business. However, it took them 2 years before they were able to gather enough evidence to send this couple, together with their accomplishes, to jail.

Patrick Hayland, 48, from Great Saling was sentenced to 4 years and six months in prison while his estranged wife Hyacinth Hayland, 56, was sentenced to 2 years. Patrick pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply controlled drugs. Though his wife denied the conspiracy charges, the court finds her guilty because of her active participation in the operation. Three other people received a suspended sentence.

Authorities said that Hayland had a multi-million steroid importation business supplying the country and Europe. “Together with his estranged wife Hyacinth and other associates, he was responsible for the importation of millions of pounds worth of anabolic steroids drugs over many years,” said one officer handling the case.

During the sentencing, Judge Charles Gratwicke said that Patrick was a major player in the supply of anabolic steroids in Europe. “This was clearly a well organised and professionally run enterprise and you were undoubtedly at the centre, it was you who sourced the drugs, who arranged for their importation, who paid for them. You were the controlling hand,” Judge Gratwicke told Hayland during the sentencing. Hayland’s operation is already handling large scale shipments of anabolic steroids from the Czech Republic. Some of the class C drugs imported by Hayland were nandrolone, testosterone and growth hormones.

According to Det. Insp. Martin Pasmore of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, the investigation on Hayland’s illegal importation of anabolic steroids took them 2 years. But their efforts were rewarded with the conviction of the defendants. He also told the Essex Chronicle that the Czech authorities also helped in the successful dismantling of this illegal trade. “We worked in full co-operation with our police colleagues in the Czech Republic, who provided vital evidence of intercepted telephone calls between Patrick Hyland and an associate in Prague. These men arranged the production and delivery of steroids into the UK,” he said.

Investigators learned that the shipments of steroids were hidden in children’s Lego Toys. They have stopped two shipments at Calais and in the Czech-German border. Authorities estimated that the apprehended shipments of steroids were worth £500,000. Police also discovered during a raid on Hayland’s business bundles of cash worth £87,000, “barrels of white tablets” which were purportedly steroids and containers of Lego.

Authorities are still planning to file other charges against the couple. “We will now work with our colleagues in the financial investigation unit with a view to recovering the money they made from their crimes under the Proceeds of Crime Act,” said Pasmore. The Essex Chronicle reported that at least £2 million worth of properties and money were traced during the investigation.

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.

The perennial problem of most governments around the world is the proliferation of illegal drugs. In fact, the campaign to eradicate smuggling have caused some bloody incidents which led to the rising number of casualties like in Mexico where drug rings have already established its nationwide and international networks.

In the previous years law enforcement agencies are only focused on the sale of prohibited drugs like cocaine, shabu and heroin. But this time the illegal trade of anabolic steroids is also increasing. This is an indication that the demand for steroids is becoming huge and profitable.

Studies have shown that steroids use is not limited to sports enthusiasts but it is now being used to improve image or physical appearance. The use of steroids as performance enhancing drug is waning due to the strict anti-doping programs of most sports organizations. In addition, there are already modern technologies and methods that can effectively detect the use of steroids.

French Steroid Ring Busted

In the latest blow to international drug syndicates, French authorities were able to apprehend suspected operators of an international drug ring selling anabolic steroids. The steroids business of the suspects was touted as the biggest doping ring in Europe according to government sources. Authorities revealed that the main operation of the group was based in Marseille, France.

Three suspects were apprehended and already charged for trafficking hazardous substances and doping products. The investigation of French authorities also leads to the discovery of other illegal activities of the group like money laundering operation in Germany and the Netherlands. The raid in the homes of the suspects yielded large sums of money.

Internet Based Steroid Business

French authorities said that the group operates an online steroid business with most clients coming from Marseille and from other parts of the country. Since the steroids are sold online, they can easily get clients from other countries particularly in Europe and the USA. Police estimated that the operator of this business averages at least 1,000 euros or $1,300 a day. This is for Marseille steroid sales alone.

The French Sports Ministry also told the media that this illegal steroid operation has 10,000 customers in France and around 200,000 clients in Europe.

Officials said that the group targets bodybuilders as their main clients. But with the type of operation and number of clients they are serving daily, it is also possible that ordinary people who just want to improve their physique may be patronizing this business. Information released to the media showed the anabolic steroids came from suppliers in Cyprus, China and Turkey. The steroids coming from the said countries were cheaper but the quality is sometimes compromised.

Details as to the different kinds of steroids or brands of steroids being offered by this group is not yet released to the public.

A weightlifting coach training handicap athletes and his business partner are to be extradited to the United States for allegedly exporting to the US and other European countries illegal anabolic steroids. The two British nationals were arrested in Thailand last 2008 by the joint operation of the Thai authorities and representatives of the US Drug Enforcement Administration (USDEA).

Edwin Richard Crawley, 46 was allegedly importing anabolic steroids from China and then sold these steroids to customers in the USA and Europe. Online news report says that Crawley is doing this business since 1999 with the help of his business partner Ashley Vincent Livingston, 47 who is helping him find customers. The two were arrested in a seaside town of Pattaya, Chon Buri province in March, 2008.

The two British nationals were detained in Thailand based on a criminal court ruling. The US government requested to extradite the defendants to face charges in the US for smuggling controlled substances. Crawley went to court of appeals to fight the extradition.

However, when the appeals court is set to promulgate its decision, Crawley rescinded his appeal causing the delay of the ruling. Prosecutors on the other hand were glad that Crawley did not object to the extradition filed by the US authorities. During the final hearing, prosecutors said that they don’t have any objection on the withdrawal of the appeal of Crawley.

The Appeals Court ruled upholding the lower court’s decision.

Another Steroid Smuggler Jailed

In UK, a steroid smuggler who was able to build a £5 million bodybuilding business was jailed for 7 years, according to the YEP report. Nicholas Aristotelous, 39, of Leeds, runs the business for 5 years and was able to gain profits up to £2.9 million. The defendant imported class c drugs from China like human growth hormones, steroids and Viagra.

Court records showed that Aristotelous together with 5 other men were operating a well organized business for muscle enhancing drugs and other prescription only medicines. Aristotelous was in charge for the purchases of these drugs and arranged the delivery to various UK addresses to avoid suspicion from the authorities. The group also runs online stores where these products are being sold. Authorities said that the defendant was also selling faked Viagra, the Kamagra.

Aristotelous manages several websites where most of his steroids and other controlled drugs are sold. With the type of operation, authorities said that the group is aiming for a worldwide operation. It was revealed that Aristotelous had plans to expand his network to Canada and Mexico. These countries have high demands for anabolic steroids and other performance enhancing drugs.

He pleaded guilty to several charges including money laundering and conspiracy to fraudulently evade the prohibition on the importation of controlled substances. He also admitted to illegal distribution of Class C drugs. Aristotelous told the court that he saw the great income potential of this business in 2004 when he was almost bankrupt. He also went to China to personally deal with suppliers. He alleged that his products were also given to the Chinese Olympic team at the Beijing Olympics.

The other conspirators also pleaded guilty but received lighter sentence.

The case of a New York State Corrections officer allegedly involved in selling steroids will now be heard in court. The charges were already filed several months ago but the lawyer of the defendant met an accident prompting the court to postpone the hearing. The case of Peter Dinardo of Deerfield was set on January 24 next year. The trial will focus on the allege involvement of the correction officer to possession and as well as distribution of steroids. The judge handling the case already noted so many loopholes in the charges against Dinardo but the trial will proceed.

His co-accused, Zachary Lazore, 23, of Yorkville, already pleaded guilty to 2 counts of fifth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance. Lazore entered into a plea agreement that makes his sentencing done earlier this year. He was sentenced to five years of probation.

During the investigation, Lazore was seen in the house of Dinardo before the former proceed to a restaurant where the sale of steroids happened. According to undercover agents Dinardo was also part in the illegal sale even if he was not present at the time of apprehension of Lazore.

Lazore was already terminated from the service while Dinardo was suspended without pay. Dinardo will be represented in court by Michael Vavonese who was injured in a serious car accident earlier this year.

The accused claimed that the authorities know the names of the big time distributors who were allegedly involved in the illegal distribution of steroids in the area. However, they were being singled out and charged in court for the illegal transactions.

Meanwhile, a Reserve Deputy Constable in El Paso, Texas was arrested for allegedly delivering steroids. Reserve Deputy Constable Horacio Garcia, 38 was arrested by fellow law enforcement officers at his home in El Paso for two counts of delivery of a controlled substance. According to reports, the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office was able to get the arrest warrant after months of investigation. However, they did not disclosed who are those people buying steroids from Garcia. There were no specifics of the type of steroids being sold by the reserve deputy. the sheriff’s office said that the investigation is still on-going.

Garcia was detained at the El Paso County Detention Facility and required to post bond amounting $55,000. Constable Sommers told the media that Garcia was already fired from the service. “I want the community to know that I take these situations very seriously, my deputies will be professional at all times. If you can’t be professional you can’t be here. The citizens deserve better than this and out of Precinct 7 that’s what they’ll get,” Sommers told KFOXTV.com.