A French bodybuilder, who was held in custody last year when he visited Miami, admits that he illegally distributed steroids in the country. He pleaded guilty to the charges yesterday and waived a grand jury indictment.

French Moroccan Karim Mourahib, 30, was charged for illegally importing and distributing anabolic steroids. Mourahib is one of the 5 people being investigated by the Food and Drug Administration and other law enforcement agencies for running a steroid ring. The French national was responsible in the sourcing of steroids and finding suppliers using the internet.

Selling Steroids Online

According to the report of the Pittsburgh Gazette, Mourahib used the internet in selling these steroids and used several email addresses in communicating with prospect clients. He was also in charge of purchasing anabolic steroids in China as evidenced by several wire transfers to a man named Tingwin Wang of Shanghai.

The successful probe on Mourahib’s illegal activities was made by a former Pittsburgh police officer and currently working as an agent for the FDA. Agent Sean Grillo first contacted Mourahib through email in April 2010. Subsequent communication with the defendant leads to the successful purchase of steroids by Agent Grillo. A search of Mourahib’s email account led the authorities to thousands of messages discussing the distribution of anabolic steroids and human growth hormone to Pittsburgh customers and other areas.

French Bodybuilder Working with US Citizens

The French bodybuilder is not working alone in distributing these controlled substances in the country. In fact, Mourahib only acted as the salesman of the steroid ring. According to investigators, Mourahib ships the steroid packages to Chattanooga, Tennessee after purchasing it from a Chinese supplier. From Tennessee, the steroids are then shipped to Pittsburgh clients.

The Pittsburgh Gazette reported that a certain Jordan Robbs is being investigated for his participation in the illegal activity. Authorities identify at least 4 people who might be involved in the network but charges have yet to be made as investigation is still on-going.

Government agencies involved in this investigation are the Food and Drug Administration, the Criminal Investigation Division of the IRS and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. Mourahib is still being held in federal custody while waiting for his sentencing on November.

Bodybuilder Cop Dismissed

Meanwhile, a police bodybuilder from Northumbria Police, UK was terminated from the service after his involvement in the purchase and possession of anabolic steroids. Sergeant Darren Towers was apprehended last year for allegedly conspiring with other defendants to supply steroids in the area. However, the court dismissed the case after Towers admitted that he only used the steroids for personal use. He claimed that he is active in bodybuilding competitions and needed the drugs to maintain his physique.

Towers has been in the bodybuilding since 1990’s. He told the court that he stopped taking the drug when he joined the police service but resumed taking steroids in 2006 when he started competing in bodybuilding competitions. He contends it is not illegal to use steroids for personal use after checking it on the internet.

However, the internal investigation of the Northumbria Police resulted to his dismissal from the force for gross misconduct. “Northumbria Police expects that officers and staff adhere to the highest possible standards of professional conduct,” said a spokeswoman from the police department. Towers disputes the decision and will file an appeal to overturn the decision of the Northumbria Police. He contends that the punishment is excessive.

A steroid investigation in Pennsylvania which started in late 2009 is now considered closed. The last defendant pleaded guilty last week and was given six months probation. Authorities nabbed several people involved in an illegal steroid distribution in Lehigh Valley County and other areas in PA. The two-phase investigation called “Operation Road Runner” made a total of 16 arrests.

Local Bodybuilding Promoter

The second phase of operation busted small time distributors. This is the reason why the last defendant, Craig Johnson, 39, only received six months probation and a fine of $500 from Lehigh County Judge Robert L. Steinberg. Johnson is a promoter of a local bodybuilding competition in Lehigh Valley. He pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor conspiracy to possess a controlled substance.

According to MCall.com website, Johnson promoted several bodybuilding and top figure competitions in the area. He was responsible in organizing bodybuilding competitions for Lehigh Valley NPC, SportsFest, and the 2007 competition in Stabler Arena in Bethlehem.

Other Co-conspirators in Steroid Distribution

The involvement of Johnson in the steroid distribution ring was made known to the authorities in August and September 2009 when an undercover agent purchased steroids from the promoter. The transaction happened at his business Top Physique Nutrition and Promotions located in Allentown. The authorities learned that the source of steroids was Edward Moyzan of Nazareth. Moyzan also pleaded guilty to two counts of possession with intent to deliver steroids and conspiracy. He received two years probation and fined $1,000.

Steroids Purchased Online

During the investigation, Moyzan disclosed to the authorities that he purchased the steroids from former Northampton County Prison guard Brian Potance who is also from Bethlehem. Potance admitted that he bought these steroids online. Potance was charged with two counts of illegal drug possession and got 2-years probation plus $1000 fine.

Three others also pleaded guilty early this year. Brian Chamberlain, 36, of Chester County was sentenced to two years probation and fined $500. Angela Girondo, 50, and Frank Peters, 34, both of Montgomery County, also received the same sentence.

Bodybuilder Sued Bodybuilding Site and Distributor

Meanwhile, a bodybuilder from Massachusetts filed a lawsuit against a famous bodybuilding site and two other companies for selling dangerous steroids. The Consumer Affairs website reported that a Massachusetts man claimed he suffered severe side effects from taking steroids he purchased from the Bodybuilding site. According to Mathew Jordan of Wilmington, Mass., his liver was damaged as a result of taking Magna Drol manufactured by BOSC Enterprises. He suffered hepatitis and jaundice.

Magna Drol was already pulled out from the market when the FDA issued a nationwide recall for the product in November 2009 because it contains a potent steroid. However, the plaintiff claimed that he was still able to purchase Magna Drol in January 2010 from Bodybuilding.com. Consumer Affairs also named another company included in the suit, Flex Appeal LP. The bodybuilding website already discontinued the sale of the said bodybuilding supplement.

Protein supplements are among the most popular dietary supplements these days. It is said that these supplements improve athletic performance and also increase the effectiveness of regular exercise. Because of these positive effects, the selections of protein supplements that are offered in the market have also increased. However, it is important that you have a full understanding of this bodybuilding supplement before taking them.

The Right Dosage of Protein

Following the American Dietetic Association standards, an average healthy adult needs 0.36 grams of protein per pound of body weight daily. For instance, if you are 150 pounds, you need around 54 grams of protein a day. For endurance athletes, the daily protein recommendation must be increased to 0.55 to 0.65 grams per pound. This is to support the increased protein turnover while exercising to help improve athletic performance and strengthen the muscles. As you know, protein plays a very important role during exercise. It creates, sustains, and also repair muscle cells.

On the other hand, strength training athletes have a recommended daily allowance of 0.55 to 0.77 grams per pound. This higher protein recommendation along with adequate energy from carbohydrates can sustain muscles and support muscle growth as well.

Taking Protein Supplements

As a note, before taking protein supplements, it is recommended to get the protein needs of the body from food sources such as lean meats, poultry, eggs, milk, fish, soy, and dairy products. Taking protein supplements ensure that you get an adequate amount of protein for your daily needs. This is especially true for busy people such as those who do not have the time to prepare a good meal at home.

There are different kinds of protein supplements such as soy, whey, and individual amino acid supplements. This product is also available in different forms such as protein powders. It is still best to get protein from a variety of sources instead of focusing on just one kind of supplement. This is because taking just one amino acid supplement can open risks for deficiencies. Other amino acid supplements such as proline and serine can cause adverse effects to your health.

When choosing a supplement, it is also essential that you make sure that it is safe for your consumption. Take note that some protein supplements can be contaminated with substances that are banned by certain associations such as the National Collegiate Athletic Association. This includes substances like DHEA, HGH, androstenedione, and ephedrine. This is often the reason why protein supplements are abused by athletes because most of the protein supplements are known to do well for muscle building and improving performance.

Misuse of Protein Supplements

A lot of athletes think that using protein supplements will help them improve athletic performance. The truth is this is not the function of supplements in the first place. They are there to ensure that you have an adequate amount of protein in the body. In fact, stopping the use of supplements usually does not pose a change in the way athletes perform.

The most common problem with protein supplements, however, is that they often times contain illegal substances that are not displayed in the label. This makes it possible for a lot of athletes to consume illegal substances without their knowledge. Worse, certain side effects can come in the picture such as nausea, vision trouble, liver problems, and a lot of other health risks.

If you want to buy bodybuilding supplements, local gyms can easily recommend one. This is now the trend in most local gyms in the country and as well as in other Asian countries. Fitness enthusiasts need not go to health and nutrition stores to find a supplement needed in enhancing their physique. Most fitness centers provide clients with supplement products as an added service. This practice entices more bodybuilders to purchase these products because they can get rid of the inconvenience of going personally to supplement stores. However, this entails great health risks.

Buying Supplements from Local Gyms

The major concern of health officials and bodybuilding organizations is on how to curtail this practice. Last month, health authorities in Abu Dhabi raided several fitness centers in the area because of this practice. Most of the confiscated steroids, growth hormones and other supplements should only be sold by a licensed health and nutrition store. It is not clear if the products meet government standards and regulation.

The general secretary of South Asian Body Building Federation, Sohail Anwar, expressed his concern on this issue. “It’s a matter of serious concern because this trend is rising among gym owners, which are not checked by any government agency,” he told the Dawn newspaper.

Gym Owners Acts as Bodybuilding Experts

Anwar is also worried on the current trend in Pakistan where local gym owners act as bodybuilding experts. Most of them make recommendations and advises to bodybuilders in the gym even without proper know-how on the use of supplements. “In fact, gyms are mostly run by uneducated people and they feel free to train boys the way they want. As a result, steroids and food supplements are being excessively used,” said Anwar.

Popular bodybuilding supplements like anabolic steroids and growth hormones should be used with proper supervision because it can lead to side effects and complications. These substances, aside from protein shakes, are the usual supplements recommended for bodybuilders who want to fast track muscle development and to those people who want to increase strength and stamina during trainings.

The intake of supplements should be based on the type of training and health condition of the bodybuilder. There are certain substances that should not be given to people with a particular medical condition. Bodybuilders taking anabolic steroids should adopt a regular steroid cycle to allow the body flush out toxins. There are also some potent steroids that could lead to serious complications when combined with other types. So, for people who rely too much on gym owners and personnel, they are putting themselves to greater health risks.

Check and Balance Needed

To counter these problems, Anwar suggested that fitness enthusiasts should consult medical experts before taking any supplement. This will help avoid the negative side effects caused by improper use of supplements.

Stricter laws must be passed by legislators to curb this practice. Anwar, who is also overseeing the bodybuilding sports in Pakistan, suggest that their sports organization should be given a role in regulating local fitness gyms in the country. “I raised this issue before the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on sports after we returned from South Asian Games. Our federation should have authority to issue NoCs to people for opening gyms so that this sport is organized in a better way,” Anwar said.

Safety of Bodybuilders

The most important thing that must be considered by bodybuilders before taking any supplement is the authenticity of the products. They have to make sure that the product is coming from a legitimate manufacturer and not from underground laboratories. It is a fact that a lot of bodybuilding supplements, steroids, or growth hormones found in local gyms don’t have the necessary certifications. Anwar said only food supplements certified by laboratories are allowed in gyms.

A doctor’s primary duty is to ensure that their patients are treated with utmost care and proper treatment is given. They should also prescribe medicines that are legally approved for specific medical conditions. However, we still hear from time to time some cases where doctors violate these rules. A doctor in Tulsa, Oklahoma is an example of this. He was charged for making off-label prescriptions for anabolic steroids.

Anabolic steroids are controlled substances. It is a drug that is only prescribed for specific medical conditions such as anemia and some forms of cancers. But today, steroids are commonly used for bodybuilding purposes and used to improve the performance of professional athletes. If an individual can’t purchase these steroids from the black market, they usually connive with doctors just to get prescriptions for steroids. Taking black market steroids are usually dangerous.

Prescriptions for Bodybuilding Use

Dr. Gary Lee, a family and sports medicine doctor from Tulsa, made prescriptions of steroids to at least 3 patients. Authorities said that the steroids were not used to treat ailments but used in bodybuilding like building muscle bulk and muscle enhancement. The doctor was nabbed last year and pleaded not guilty to the charges. He told the court that the off-label prescriptions of steroids were intended to treat injuries and not for bodybuilding purposes.

2 Years Supervised Activities

In the recent update on the case, the Tulsa World website reported that the prosecution and the defense made an agreement to postpone the proceedings for 2 years. Instead, the doctor’s activities will be supervised and monitored by the District Attorney’s Office for the entire duration of the agreement. If Lee violates any of the provisions in the agreement, the case against him will continue.

Payment of Fines and Penalty

The doctor is also required to pay $1,000 to the victims compensation fund, $100 to the DA’s Drug Fund and a monthly due of $40. The court will review the case of Lee on April 2013 and if there are no violations of the law or supervisory guidelines, the case will be dismissed.

Michael King, the defense lawyer of Dr. Lee, clarified that the agreement is not an indication that the doctor pleaded guilty to the charges. The signed document was also clear that the defendant had not admitted guilt. “This seemed like a good way to resolve the case without a long, extended trial,” said the defense lawyer.

The 50-year old doctor is licensed by the Oklahoma Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision. The prosecution maintained their position that Dr. Lee made illegal prescriptions of anabolic steroids by conspiring with patients who obtained and used the drugs for bodybuilding purposes.

It is a fact that most bodybuilders and fitness enthusiasts rely on supplements and steroids to beef up their bodies. Spending hours in gyms and following a training regimen for several months may not entice a lot of health conscious people. Most of them look for something that would aid them fast track muscle development and gain strength and stamina in just a very short time. This is where anabolic steroids comes in. These substances became the drug of choice for most bodybuilders because it gives them instant results.

However, a lot of bodybuilders and fitness conscious people become the usual victims of unscrupulous businessmen. There are many instances where local fitness centers and health clubs offer their clients with supplements that were not approved by the FDA or supplements that were made by fly-by-night manufacturers.

Illegal manufacturers and distributors of bodybuilding supplements targets fitness centers because they can easily make a sale. Illegally imported or manufactured steroids pose great health risks to the users because most of them did not conform to quality standards. According to studies, most tainted supplements contain too much or too little of the substances advertised in the label. Some contains harmful chemicals such as lead and arsenic.

Bodybuilders and fitness enthusiasts should only buy supplements or steroids from licensed distributors to avoid these risks. Authorities are also doing extra effort to curtail the proliferation of these steroids in the local market. According to some bodybuilders, buying steroids is as easy as buying a can of soda. The FDA and the DEA have been in the forefront to stop the illegal distribution and sale of anabolic steroids and other dietary supplements containing illegal substances.

The country is not alone in this problem. European and Middle Eastern Countries also have the same problem. GulfNews recently reported that local authorities in Abu Dhabi raided several fitness centers and health clubs in the capital because of unlicensed steroids and other banned drugs. An inspection conducted by local officials revealed that these fitness centers also offer these products to their clients.

The drugs seized from them include growth hormones and steroids. The local health officials did not disclose the amount and types of steroids confiscated during the surprise inspection. These drugs were sent to the Health Authority Abu Dhabi (HAAD) for further lab analysis.

According to the report, there are several health risks that can be associated with steroids use. It can increase the risk of cardiovascular and liver diseases. When used improperly like using unsterilized syringes, it can lead to other diseases such as HIV, hepatitis and infections. Public Health Director Khalifa Al Rumaithi advises the public especially the teens to refrain from using steroids and other drugs without valid medical prescription. Anabolic steroids are not illegal but users should have prescriptions to use it. “The municipality will continue to raise awareness about the risk of using such items, as well as take legal action against any violators. We therefore urge the public to report any fitness centres or suppliers of steroids that they come across,” said Al Rumaithi.

The fitness centers caught selling steroids and growth hormones were facing disciplinary actions because they were only licensed to operate as fitness centers. The municipality also provided a hotline number so that the general public can report any supplier of steroids and other banned drugs, or fitness centers selling these product to customers.