More than 2000 vials of a banned steroid have been found by Customs officials inside a parcel sent to Sydney from Thailand.
The Sydney Morning Herald reports that the steroid seizure by customs in February has resulted in ongoing steroid busts in Sydney Australia (”Steroids found in Thai parcel: customs,” April 1).
Customs officers at Australia Post’s Gateway Facility in Sydney found the 2,378 ampoules of Sustanon 250, Stanozol and Nandrolone in plastic bags after examining a parcel from Thailand said to contain glass figures…
After finding the drugs in the mail on February 19, Customs investigators executed search warrants on premises in south-western Sydney last Friday and seized evidentiary material.
Investigations into the major steroid seizure are continuing.
Customs national manager for investigations, Richard Janezcko, said the agency was “continuing to detect and investigate increased attempts to smuggle prohibited and restricted performance enhancing drugs into Australia”.
Australia’s war on steroids is one of the most aggressive in the world, perhaps even more draconian than the efforts by the United States.
The defense team of NPC bodybuilder Thomas Vigliatura used the “steroids made me crazy” defense in Vigliatura’s GHB/GBL distribution trial. (”Vigliatura says he’s changed,” March 30)
At the same time. Mr. Vigliatura’s life “was a merry-go-round of alcohol abuse, substance abuse and, most horrifically, the conduct detailed in the indictment,” Mr. Sinnis said. Mr. Vigliatura suffered from physical and psychiatric symptoms as a result of androgenic-anabolic steroids he began using in 1990 in connection with body building, Mr. Sinnis said.
And the steroid money quote…
The steroids left him with permanent severe cognitive deficits, according to excerpts of a neuropsychology report commissioned by the defense. But it noted that he has greatly recovered, perhaps fully, from the psychological and mood effects of the steroids and it predicted an ability “to return to a fulfilling and gainful life in society.”
The steroid insanity defense. Damn those steroids. Damn those steroids!!
Everytime a steroid source is busted, there is considerable internet buzz about whether the source will “rat out” anyone. And everyone involved in the underground steroid black market wants to know whether their colleagues, their customers, or their sources will turn their name(s) over to federal/state investigators. Internet entrepreneurs have realized the demand for this type of information, much to the chagrin of law enforcement, with websites like Who’s A Rat? (”Web site that rats out informants worries Dallas officials,” March 29).
The site seeks to expose people who “rat on a business associates, friends, or family members just to save themselves,” said Chris Brown, whosarat.com spokesman…
The site has survived because of free speech protections, he said. “The bottom line is we provide the forum. The members post…”
Currently, anyone can go to Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) and download information about their favorite busted steroid source, past and present, including the criminal complaint, the indictment, and the plea agreement. I think this sort of transparency in our criminal justice system is great.
Unfortunately, websites like WhosaRat.com and RateMyCop.com have raised concerns among law enforcement that may ultimately restrict the public’s access to court records. This is a worthy debate in and of itself. But I want to focus on another aspect the process - plea agreements - and why these do not necessarily make the defendant a “rat.”
Practically all individuals indicted in steroid conspiracy, steroid possession, and steroid distributions charges will ultimately reach plea agreements with federal prosecutors. But a plea agreement by a defendent does not always mean they have ratted out either distributors higher on the steroid supply chain or customers lower on the steroid supply chain.
Plea agreements, especially in victimless crimes like steroid possession, are often reached to ease an overburdened criminal justice system (”Plea deals help make courts efficient,” November 18, 2007).
Plea agreements can save time and money while bringing a faster resolution for the accused and accuser. Without them, experts say, the courts would become clogged, bogged down and overworked.
“Obviously, from the standpoint of the court being able to function efficiently, without plea agreements, the system would slow down dramatically,” said La Crosse County Circuit Judge Scott Horne, elected to the bench last spring after 22 years as county district attorney.
Prosecutors like plea agreements because they guarantee a conviction. There are several types of plea agreements. Defendants can plead guilty to a lesser charge or some of the charges for a speedy conviction. They can also agree to plead guilty in exchange for a lesser sentence. Obviously, these type of plea agreements do not make them a snitch or a rat.
Clearly, some plea agreements involve the cooperation with ongoing investigations and/or testifying against a co-defendant, etc. Even these cases don’t always involve snitching on others. For example, the “cooperaton” could involve teaching federal prosecutors how a major steroid smuggling operation works in exchange for a more lenient sentence.
Other plea agreements could involve testifying against a co-defendant or a party in a related investigation. Often times, prosecutors ask defendants to simply confirm the evidence already collected by prosecutors. But even then, sometimes the cooperation is really too innocuous to qualify the defendant as a “rat.” A good example is the recent testimony of Patrick Arnold (Ergopharm) at Tammy Thomas’ doping trial. Pat explains his testimony here to readers of the MESO-Rx Blog:
I was basically forced into a very crappy situation. Last year right before i went to prison they subpoenaed me to a grand jury hearing. in that hearing they showed me evidence they had against tammy and it was clear to me they had all they needed to show i sold her stuff. So i told them yes i did.
if i did not, then i would have gone to prison. and it would not have done anything to help tammy anyway.
the good thing about this is that tammy’s attorneys are not even trying to deny she got stuff and took it, so my testimony this week was pretty moot. they are using another angle and surprisingly it turned out that my 3 hours on the stand helped tammy’s side much more then it helped the feds.
Other plea agreements (usually the sealed variety) involve confidential informants or cooperating defendants involved in sting operatons; these are typically what are called “rats” or “snitches.”
But the problem with websites like WhosaRat.com is that when plea agreements are uploaded, members often do not discriminate and assume the agreements to be proof that the defendant is a rat.
Authorities point out that a plea deal is not necessarily proof that someone is an informant or plans to testify against another defendant.
While it is always wise to assume the worst to protect yourself, assumptions based on incomplete information may not always be accurate.
The sums of money Arnold was making were “very low,” she said. “I think we should have charged more.”
Pat confirmed via email that he only made $15-20 thousand over the course of the THREE YEARS he provided tetrahydrogestrinone (THG) and norbolethone to elite athletes while working with Victor Conte. The government calls a $5,000 a year operation a major steroid bust?!
While the BALCO steroid bust involving undetectable performance enhancing drugs was a big deal to Pat Arnold et al and the athletes involved, the dismantling of BALCO had practically no direct impact on the commercial trade of anabolic steroids on the black market. However, the role of the BALCO scandal as the impetus for the current steroid hysteria can not be underestimated.
Since nandrolone decanoate is no longer manufacturer by any U.S. pharmaceutical company, it is difficult to find in the United States with availability limited to compounding pharmacies. Members of Vergel’s Yahoo Group PozHealth have researched and identified only five compounding pharmacies nationwide that still offer nandrolone decanoate with a valid medical prescription (and in some cases, additional requirements) [”Nandrolone Prices at Compounding Pharmacies,” March 28).
Prices of a 10mL vial Nandrolone Decanoate (200 mg/ml) at Compounding Pharmacies
[NOTE: Pricing and compounding pharmacy has been removed per request. The publication of such information has regrettably caused adverse attention for at least one compounding pharmacy.]
Two other compounding pharmacies have ceased production of nandrolone decanoate due to federal pressure and/or limited availability of the raw materials (Applied Pharmacy Services and Leiter’s Pharmacy, respectively).
We desperately need a rational discussion on anabolics steroids to replace the steroid demonization and steroid hysteria sweeping our country. Legislation and federal actions involving anabolic steroids over the past several years have arguably done nothing to decrease steroid use among professional athletes or high school athletes; the war on steroids has indisputably compromised the available of anabolic steroids for medical purposes in affected populations. This is the real crime.
Scott Haines, a personal trainer at the Nashville Athletic Club, was arrested this week last month for manfacturing and distributing anabolic steroids. Several hundred vials of anabolic steroids from an unidentified underground lab were confiscated by police. (Steroid pictures of vials from this underground lab are shown below; we are working to identify the UGL involved.)
The continuing investigation by Central Precinct undercover detectives into the illegal distribution of steroids in the Nashville area has resulted in the rearrest of suspect Scott Haines…
Haines’ probation was violated following his February 19 arrest on two counts of possessing steroids for resale. He was stopped after Central detectives saw him conducting sales from his vehicle. Recovered that day were 2,200 dosage units of anabolic steroid, $3,090 cash, and a 1994 Nissan Altima. Recovered on February 20 during a search of Haines’ Brooksboro Terrace apartment in South Nashville were 500 dosage units of anabolic steroid and 300 grams of powder used to manufacture steroids.
Scott Haines was apparently the steroid source for multiple police officers from different Tennesseean law enforcement agencies who worked out at the Nashville Athletic Club.
Three Metro police officers were decommissioned Feb. 29 after they were implicated in steroid use. Officers Mike Evans, Danny Cage and Stephen Reece are on “administrative assignment” with pay and required to be at home from the work hours of 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., police spokesman Don Aaron said…
Sena Omer, 24, was set to graduate from the police academy March 6. He resigned the day before after questioning from detectives, police said.
Murfreesboro Officer Phillip Hatcher was stripped of his gun and badge on Monday, but Channel 4 News learned on Thursday that he was fired from the department.
Two Tennessee Highway Patrol officers have been placed on administrative leave with pay pending an internal investigation.
The Department of Safety said Sgt. Larry Hitchcock and Trooper William Futrell, both 36, are under investigation by the Office of Professional Responsibility.
Spokeswoman Laura McPherson would not give further details on the investigation, but the Highway Patrol has said it is looking into allegations of troopers using or selling steroids.
The steroid investigation is a joint operation between local law enforcement and the DEA.
Brian Wainstein, one of the owners of GenXXL, served 4 months in prison for the unlawful possession, sale, and distribution of anabolic steroids. Wainstein served only four months out of a 2 year suspended sentence.
Brian Wainstein (42) - a South African national with an address at Bank Lodge, Knockraheen, Roundwood in Co Wicklow - received the orders for the banned drugs by e-mail from customers all over the world, including the USA.
Aaaah…yes. Brilliant. Put your real public address and attach it to a fucking site where you are breaking your own countries law plus international law. Brilliant. Better yet, have your screen name be “England” or something brilliant like that, and then sell steroids on a public website from “England”.
By marketing anabolic steroids on his website GenXXL.com under the GenXXL Gear brand, he publicly provided authorities with the physical location where the anabolic steroids were stored and shipped.
He pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to nine charges arising out of the unlawful possession sale and distribution of the illicit substances at Croswaithe Park South, Dun Laoghaire in 2003.
The address from which Wainstein distributed anabolic steroids was the same as the publicly published address listed online:
27 Crossthwaite Park West
Dunloaghaire, Co Dublin
This highlights the lack of sophistication (among other things) that exists in the underground labs that produce anabolic steroids. Consumers of steroids produced by underground labs must not only be concerned by the quality control issues arising from amateur UGLs but also the legal risks associated with illicitly buying from steroid dealers who are unable to maintain minimum standards of discretion for their own operations much less their customers.
Axio Labs has been publicly linked to Brian Wainstein and GenXXL.com for some time, both before and after Wainstein was busted. Recently, Axio Labs has also stopped shipping anabolic steroids to the United States; long claiming to be the “next British Dragon,” Axio Labs now no longer wants to be associated with British Dragon after the steroid bust in Thailand and the co-founder’s extradition to the United States. There has been a lot of anxiety about the status of Axio Labs after the recent events involving the British Dragon bust. Axio Labs alleged association with Brian Wainstein only heightens that anxiety.
Bottom line - while it is never a good idea to illegally import anabolic steroids into the United States, it is a particularly bad time now.
Larry Flynt’s Hustler Magazine is profiling three female bodybuilders in the June 2008 issue. IFBB pro female bodybuilders Colette Nelson and Melissa Dettwiller and NPC bodybuilder Amber Steel were featured. The pictures are by one of my favorite photographers, Brian Moss. If you read just the article (text and ignore the context) , you will find it to be a relatively positive piece for female bodybuilding. But of course, the issue of female bodybuilder nudity and the source of the article are certain to be controversial. Thanks to Sioux Country (via Hardbody) for alerting us to the “Seriously Female” article.
THG was also known as “the clear” because it was not detectable at the time Arnold developed it in about 2001.
Under questioning by prosecutor Jeff Nedrow, Arnold said, “That’s the primary reason why THG was developed.”
Arnold also said, “I believe that Miss Thomas understood full well it was undetectable and that that was its purpose.”
He said he believed the cyclist understood the drug had “steroid-like qualities.”
Tammy Thomas denied ever receiving any products from Pat Arnold other than Ergopharm 1-AD; she denied receiving anabolic steroids or other performance-enhancing drugs from Pat Arnold or anyone else; she denied using anabolic steroids.
Tammy Thomas is being prosecuted for perjury, obstruction of justice and making false statements - including denials that she used anabolic steroids. IMO, this is an offshoot of the steroid hysteria and federal war on steroids where prosecutors want to make an example of athletes who they suspect have used steroids.
The Anabolic Steroid Control Act (which made anabolic steroids a controlled substance) has proved virtually useless in prosecuting athletes who use anabolic steroids. Instead, federal prosecutors have perverted the perjury laws to target athletes who dope. Tammy Thomas’ case is the first test of the effectiveness of the government’s strategy of using perjury laws to target athletes and a preview of the Barry Bonds perjury case.
Ironically, THG was not legally classified as an anabolic steroid at the time that Patrick Arnold claims to have sold it to Tammy Thomas. This fact will apparently was highlighted in the defense’s opening statement. The defense strategy appears to maintain that “technically” Thomas told the truth because (1) THG was not legally an anabolic steroid at the time; (2) she did not think THG was banned at the time; (3) she obtained THG from Kelsey Dalton (Arnold’s former girlfriend) and not Pat. We’ll see how the case plays out.
Former NPC Bodybuilder Tom Vigliatura has been falsely accused of selling steroids by reporter Lee Hammel of the Worcester Telegram & Gazette newspaper in Massachusetts. However, I am certain that this false accusation is the least of Thomas Vigliatura’s concerns; Vigliatura has been in prison since August 2005. He was sentenced this week to 51 months in federal prison and ordered to forfeit his home and his defunct supplement store, T. Vig’s Sports Supplements Unlimited for selling Ecstasy, Cocaine and GHB - but NOT steroids (”Bodybuilder gets 51 months, forfeits home and business,” March 24).
Thomas J. Vigliatura, 40, of 118 Santoro Road, previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy from 2002 to 2004 to distribute illegal steroids known as GHB and GBL and to possess cocaine and Ecstasy as well as distribution of GBL and GHB.
Reporter Lee Hammel wants to throw in steroid distribution as one of the charges when he erroneously identifies GHB and GBL as steroids. It upsets me that so many reporters remain blissfully ignorant about anabolic steroids and fail to perform even basic fact checking when it comes to basic questions like “what are anabolic steroids?” Why should reporters stick to the facts? Maybe Hammel just assumed that he was selling anabolic steroids since, after all, Vigliatura was a competitive bodybuilder.
Anabolic steroids are already being demonized by the current tidal wave of steroid hysteria permeating the United States. There is no need to false associate steroids to a criminal case involving cocaine and ecstasy, police corruption and threats against a federal prosecutor that has nothing to do with steroids. But anything to further demonize steroids must be the new journalistic standard?
Thanks to reporter Lee Hammel, the Associated Press has picked up the story and syndicated it nationally using Hammel’s inaccurate reporting regarding steroids (”Bodybuilder sentenced on drug charges,” March 25).
Thomas Vigliatura pleaded guilty to charges including conspiracy to distribute illegal steroids and possession of cocaine and Ecstasy…
The distribution of drugs like cocaine, ecstasy, and GHB has been a different enterprise from the distribution of anabolic steroids. (Although this distinction is starting to disappear as the federal steroid witch hunt threatens to push the entire steroid market completely underground.) The differences in cocaine/ecstasy/GHB distribution and anabolic steroid distribution is highlighted by the former group’s reluctance to testify or “snitch” on co-conspirators and the latter group’s widespread and eager willingness to “rat out” co-conspirators in exchange for leniency (”Bodybuilder’s sentence is bulked up by judge: six months,” July 27, 2007).
[Thomas J. Vigliatura] reiterated his contention that he refused to testify out of fear of reprisal to himself and his family…
“In no way was I trying to attempt to impede justice in any way,” Mr. Vigliatura told the judge before sentencing. “Most of you don’t know what it’s like where I live.”
Mr. Vigliatura’s real concern is his “reputation as a stand-up guy…”
Mr. Vigliatura did not want to be known as “a cooperator, snitch, rat, informant.”
Steroid dealers and distributors have not historically had the same concerns. But the federal war on steroids is close to succeeding at making the underground anabolic steroid market more dangerous than ever before for steroid users and steroid dealers alike.
