March 31, 2009
The 1992 landmark steroids in sports investigation codenamed Operation Equine by the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) resulted in the convictions of Curtis Wenzlaff and over seventy individuals for steroid distribution and trafficking and the seizure of more than 10 million anabolic steroid dosage units. FBI Special Agents Bill Randall and Greg Stejskal uncovered evidence linking steroids to Major League Baseball (MLB) players including Jose Canseco and Mark McGwire; they even obtained details of steroid cycles purported used by McGwire. The steroid-using athletes were ignored at a time when the federal government targeted steroid dealers (”Discovery’s ‘Undercover: Double Life’ features ‘Operation Equine’,” March 30).
“It’s amazing to see the snowball effect all these years later. I believed in (Operation Equine) and I think it’s come full circle,” Randall told the Daily News on Sunday while grilling steaks outdoors at his suburban Michigan home. “The thrust of Equine was to get traffickers, which is kind of unfortunate. I think we could have gone further, but the problem was the mind-set then. It was like, ‘It’s just steroids.’”
The federal government has taken the opposite approach with the recent BALCO steroid investigation. Fewer than a handful of individuals were convicted of steroid distribution and professional athletes like Barry Bonds, Marion Jones, and Tammy Thomas have clearly been targeted by the government. IRS Special Agent Jeff Novitzky has become a media superstar and bonafide anti-steroid crusader. Operation Equine Agents Bill Randall and Greg Stejskal did not receive any such celebrity treatment and had become somewhat obscure characters in the war on steroids. But that is changing now that hunting steroid-using athletes has become a priority for the federal government. Now, the Discovery Channel is paying tribute Agents Randall and Stejskal in the series Undercover: Double Life “Bill Randall: Operation Equine” on the cable network Discovery Investigations Read more
March 29, 2009
The death of Mexican wrestler Andrés Palomeque, better known as the “Abismo Negro”, has been linked to anabolic steroids by the local coroner. Physician Jesús Enrique Castro López examined the body of the 37-year old Palomeque and concluded that his death was precipitated by an anxiety attack possibly resulting from the consumption of anabolic steroids. Castro made the conclusion solely based on the prevalence of steroid use in sports; the medical examiner’s “opinion” was not based on toxicology tests that determined if any drugs were present in Palomeque’s system (”Extraña muerte de luchador Mexicano “Abismo Negro,” March 25).
Las investigaciones realizadas por autoridades locales indican que el deportista solicitó al chofer de la unidad Elite le permitiera bajar, con una actitud nerviosa y sufriendo de crisis de ansiedad, debido a posible consumo de anabólicos muy comunes dentro de la sociedad deportista, según Jesús Enrique Castro López, medico legista.
Andres Alejandro González Palomeque was found dead near a river in El Rosario, Mexico early Saturday morning on March 21, 2009. There was no medical evidence to support anabolic steroid-induced anxiety attack as the cause of death. An autopsy was not conducted. Furthermore, the circumstance surrounding the death of Andrés Palomeque were suspicious with speculation that foul play could have been involved. Read more
March 28, 2009
The Utah Legislature has approved a bill that would allow naturopathic physicians to prescribe transdermal or buccal testosterone (but not injectable esters of testosterone). The “Hormone Restoration Amendments” (HB-108) passed the Utah Senate on March 9, 2009 and the Utah House on February 10, 2009. Placing the risks of testosterone in perspective, Rep. Paul Ray stated, “I’ve been married 17 years and too much estrogen scares me a heck of a lot more than testosterone.” Utah will become the fifth state to grant prescriptive rights for testosterone to naturopathic physicians when the bill is signed by Gov. Jon Huntsman. Utah joins Arizona, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington as the only other states where naturopathic physicians can prescribe testosterone (”Bill will allow naturopathic doctors to prescribe testosterone,” March 5, 2009).
The “Hormone Restoration Amendments” were opposed by the Utah Medical Association and the Utah Health System Pharmacy who expressed their antagonism towards compounding pharmacies during debates. The Utah Health Insurance Association was also concerned that the bill would force insurance companies to cover naturopathic physician-prescribed testosterone replacement therapy (TRT).
The Utah Association of Naturopathic Physicians was well-informed and knowledgeable regarding testosterone and federal steroid laws. The representatives for the Utah Medical Association and the Utah Health System Pharmacy were not; their testimony was inaccurate and misleading with respect to steroid law and steroid side effects. The UMA sent a non-medical expert to present their case opposing the bill. Read more
March 24, 2009
Defense attorney Thomas Lesser of Lesser, Newman & Nasser proved that federal prosecutors do not have a monopoly on anabolic steroid misinformation and falsehoods. Lesser filed a sentencing memorandum in Massachusetts federal court requesting one year probation for his client who had previously pleaded guilty to steroid distribution charges. Lesser falsely characterized the typical steroid user as a massive consumer of ridiculous amounts of anabolic steroids (”Sentencing Memorandum USA v. Shooltz,” March 19, 2009).
“A typical steroid user would use one gram of testosterone per day, which he would combine with other steroids, as well as human growth hormone. Over a ten-week period, 140 grams of steroids would be used, 70 grams of testosterone and a similar quantity of other steroids. Body builders would use more.”
In other words, Lesser expected the court to believe that the typical steroid cycle involved the equivalent of (1) 7,000mg testosterone esters per week; (2) 3,500mg Deca Durabolin per week; (3) 500mg Dianabol per day; and (4) human growth hormone (HGH). Lesser claimed that bodybuilders used even greater quantities of steroids. Read more
March 24, 2009
The Brooksville Police Department has started making arrests in an undercover narcotics investigation codenamed “Operation D-Bol”. Operation D-Bol targets anabolic steroid distribution within the city limits of Brookville. Law enforcement has determined that steroids threatens the safety and welfare of the estimated 8,000 residents in this small Florida community. Operation D-Bol resulted in the arrest of Michael Earl Maurer Jr for the sale and possession of anabolic steroids on March 22, 2009 (”Investigation: Operation D-Bol: Arrest – Sale of Anabolic Steroids / Drug Seizure,” March 22).
On the listed dates the Brooksville Police Department Criminal Investigation Division conducted undercover narcotics operations (Operation D-Bol) into the sale of anabolic steroids in the City of Brooksville. The operation utilized a confidential informant who arranged multiple purchases from a reported steroid supplier. The supplier delivered the steroids to the informant’s home on March 21 and again on March 22, 2009. After the second delivery and sale the suspect was immediately arrested by police personnel. A subsequent search of the supplier’s residence at 23110 Skyview Circle, Brooksville resulted in the recovery of additional illegal steroids and hundreds of syringes used in administering the drug.
The Brooksville Police Department’s decision to launch a full-scale undercover operation targeting low-level steroid dealers represents a questionable use of significant resources. The small community of Brooksville has 27 police personnel and a $1.8 million operating budget. The undercover surveillance of steroid users/dealers, bodybuilders at local gyms in Brooksville proves that no town is too small for the war on steroids.
March 19, 2009
The CBS Early Show investigated anabolic steroid use by high school athletes in Louisiana on March 17-18, 2009. The investigative report by CBS News correspondent Kelly Cobiella targeted two sports supplement products identified as Genetic Edge Technologies Tren-250 and Tri-City Chemicals Xtreme Tren. Cobiella interviewed athletes at Opelousas High School and Eunice High School who used the supplement identified as “tren”. “Tren” contains an allegedly legal “pro-steroidal” ingredient used in a variety of “pro-steroidal” supplements (”High Schoolers Unknowingly Taking Steroids,” March 18).
Don Catlin, the infamous steroid hunter who runs the Anti-Doping Research lab, tested Xtreme Tren and confirmed the presence of estra-4,9-diene-3,17-dione. Catlin also found trace amounts of 19-norandrostenedione that were not listed on the label. “‘Tren’ is not a supplement at all, it masquerades as a supplement but it is really a powerful potent anabolic steroid,” according to Don Catlin.
William Llewellyn, author of the authoritative anabolic steroid reference manual “Anabolics“, clarifies the conditions under which natural steroid ingredients that can be legally sold over the counter.
If a steroid is found in the food supply naturally, and not regulated as a controlled substance, it may be legal to sell as a dietary supplement. The Dietary Supplement Health & Education Act (DSHEA) is intended to protect ingredients that are natural and already consumed by the public. Depending on if you believe the story or the label, “tren” is either a steroid known as “estra-4,9-diene-3,17-dione” or “estra-4,9,11-triene-3,17-dione” . There is no known source for either steroid in nature. I have to agree with Don Catlin’s assessment that “tren” is not a supplement, but a synthetic designer steroid. Since the designer steroid “tren” is not natural, it is considered a misbranded drug under federal law.
It is important to note that estra-4,9-diene-3,17-dione is NOT legally defined as an “anabolic steroid” under the Anabolic Steroid Control Act of 1990 and 2004. Instead, it may be classified as a “misbranded drug” instead of a dietary supplement.
The CBS Early Show investigation into anabolic steroid use by high school athletes reveals how the war on steroids will attack the sports supplement industry and the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA). Read more
March 18, 2009
Former WWE pro wrestler Andrew “Test” Martin was found dead at the age of 33 in his Tampa residence during a police welfare check on March 13, 2009. The cause of death has not been determined but foul play is not suspected. The Tampa Police Department has requested toxicology tests after discovering large amounts of prescription painkillers and anabolic steroids in his Post Harbour Place condominium. Martin was apparently notorious for his use of steroids and sometimes faced fans who chanted accusations of steroid use; Martin defended steroid use for cosmetic purposes as similar to Botox or a facelift. His WWE nickname “Test” is coincidentally slang for testosterone and his fans were affectionately called his Test-icles (”Friend Of ‘Test’ In Shock Over Pro Wrestler’s Death,” March 17).
Prescription drugs including painkillers and steroids were found in Martin’s home, Tampa police spokeswoman Laura McElroy said today.
“We’re awaiting the toxicology report to determine if any of those painkillers and steroids played a role in his death,” McElroy said.
“He was obviously very healthy. The mystery of his death will likely come out in his toxicology report.”
The tragic culture of professional wrestling that involves the use of anabolic steroids, prescription painkillers, muscle relaxants, and alcohol has seen numerous young stars die prematurely. The general public has rushed to identify anabolic steroids as responsible for the death of Andrew J. Martin. The predetermined conclusion that steroids were the culprit the death of Andrew “Test” Martin will undoubtedly persist regardless of the official and actual cause of death.
Representative Henry Waxman isolated anabolic steroids as “the” problem when calling a congressional investigation to examine the steroids in professional wrestling. The unfortunate consequence of such contemporary steroid hysteria is that, in the rush to blame anabolic steroids as the single cause of death, the most significant risk factors are predictably overlooked.
March 15, 2009
Anabolic steroids are demonized in case materials used for the 23rd Annual Oregon High School Mock Trial Competition on March 13-14, 2009. The competition is intended to enhance proficiency in “critical thinking skills such as analyzing and reasoning.” However, high students participating in the mock trial contest were not allowed to critically and honestly examine anabolic steroids and their side effects. Challenging the inaccurate steroid information within the case materials was prohibited. The goal of the mock trial was to argue the assignment of fault in the fictitious death of Jordan Simon. Was the defendant responsible for Jordan’s death due to negligence or misconduct? Or was the deceased responsible for voluntarily assuming the risks? The assignment of fault may be in dispute, but one thing was certain – steroids caused Jordan Simon’s death.
The wrongful death case of Simon v. Swift and Eastside High School involves a high school track sprinter who died from a heart attack presumably caused by an anabolic steroid overdose. Student mock trial participants are told that erythropoeitin (EPO) is an anabolic steroid in the case materials. This is false. But the students are not permitted to question this false assumption by calling for information outside the scope of the case materials. EPO is repeatedly identified, albeit erroneously, as an anabolic steroid throughout the case material, exhibits, and expert testimony.
Participants are told that an anabolic steroid overdose can cause heart attacks. Anabolic steroids can NOT cause an acute fatal overdose. There is no direct association between anabolic steroids and heart attacks. While long-term abuse of anabolic steroids can result in serious adverse cardiovascular consequences, an isolated cycle of anabolic steroids is unlikely to cause anything other than transient changes in cardiovascular indicators, and certainly not a heart attack. Yet, the case materials in Simon v. Swift and Eastside High School suggest that anabolic steroids caused the heart attack. The autopsy report lists the cause of death as “heart attack due to accidental drug overdose” noting extremely elevated post-mortem levels of serum erythropoeitin (EPO). EPO has been directly associated with heart attacks in competitive athletes (particularly cyclists). Steroid have not. Read more
March 14, 2009
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson admitted to using anabolic steroids in an interview with MTV Movies Editor Josh Horowitz. The former World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) superstar admitted using anabolic steroids along with his friends around the time he played collegiate football as a defensive tackle for the 1991 NCAA Division I-A national champion Miami Hurricanes. The admission of steroid use has almost become a rite of passage for athletes and entertainers with very muscular physiques during the contemporary era of steroid hysteria. The personable Johnson had fun with the admission in an entertaining discussion of steroid use with MTV News; the revelation of steroid use happened while promoting his latest Disney movie “Race to Witch Mountain” in the back of a New York City yellow cab (”Dwayne Johnson Admits To Steroid Use Years Ago,” March 12). Read more
March 14, 2009
The FBI investigation codenamed Operation Phony Pharm remains active and may seek to prosecute additional individuals selling anabolic steroids according to court documents recently filed in the U.S. District Court of Connecticut. Attorney Matthew Maddox publicly reveal prosecutors’ intentions in a March 9, 2009 sentencing memorandum filed on behalf of his client, Corey Stanford. This is surprising news since all nine defendants associated with Operation Phony Pharm have already pleaded guilty as of June 2008: Edwin F. Porter (June 2008), Brian S. Tompkins (June 3, 2008), Brian W. Jeffery (May 5, 2008), Corey Stanford (April 14, 2008), Tyler J. Lunn (March 24, 2008), Walter T. Corey (February 2008), Alan R. Blair (September 24, 2007), Matthew J. Peltz (September 27, 2007) and Hiroshige Cranney (May 21, 2007).
Corey Stanford (of Austin, Texas) was originally scheduled to be sentenced on July 7, 2008 well after all other Operation Phony Pharm defendants had pleaded guilty. Stanford’s plea agreement called for 8 to 14 months imprisonment; Stanford’s attorney did not feel a downward departure was warranted at the time. However, this all changed when sentencing was delayed for 9 months so that Stanford could engage in “an intensive cooperative relationship with the federal government.” This represented an unusual move for prosecutors who had secured guilty convictions for all indicted defendants. Operation Phony Pharm, by all appearances, appeared to be nearing its conclusion. This suggests that prosecutors in the United States Attorney’s Office in Connecticut may seek additional steroid-related indictments, possibly in Texas. Read more
March 12, 2009
Fernando Reis, the mastermind behind the underground lab Azorian World Order as well as a large-scale British Dragon counterfeit operation, pleaded guilty to 15 counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking, trafficking and importing anabolic steroids and prescription drugs into Canada. Reis was sentenced on March 6, 2009 to time served and two years probation. The Azorian World Order (AWO), the “defender of the free world,” was the umbrella company of a multi-million dollar underground Canadian steroid lab and steroid counterfeit operation.
Azorian World Order (AWO) did not sell steroids under its own label but sold them under the labels of various other underground labs. Fernando Reis counterfeited steroid labels that were already well-established on the black market such as British Dragon. Reis may have manufactured anabolic steroid products for various underground labs (UGLs) throughout Canada such as Teragon Labs and Oropharma Labs. It is unclear whether Reis supplied these UGLs with product or simply counterfeited them. Fernando Reis also produced fake Pfizer Viagra medications. He also counterfeited various supplement brands, such as Andro Technologies and Future Nutrition, and sold them to health and fitness stores in Canada.
March 11, 2009
Nicolas Cage was first offered and accepted the role of Randy “The Ram” Robinson in the movie “The Wrestler” before finally rejecting the lead role of the steroid-using grappler. The highly-regarded method actor implied that he quit the role because he was not willing to use anabolic steroids and make the physical transformation necessary for a believable performance as a professional wrestler. Director Darren Aronofsky gave the role to Mickey Rourke whose stunning performance (and physique) earned him a Golden Globe award and Oscar nomination (”Nicolas Cage: I Wasn’t ‘Dropped’ From ‘The Wrestler’,” March 11).
Access Hollywood caught up with Nicolas at the premiere of his new movie, “Knowing,” Monday night in New York, where the actor cleared up recent rumors that he was let go from the Darren Aronofsky-directed project.
“I wasn’t quote ‘dropped’ from the movie,” the 45-year-old actor told Access. “I resigned from the movie because I didn’t think I had enough time to achieve the look of the wrestler who was on steroids, which I would never do.”
Nicolas Cage was once known for an intense passion for method acting that took the technique to an entirely new level. His adamant refusal to use steroids for a movie role may suggest that Nicolas Cage’s method acting madness is part of his past.
To be a good actor you have to be something like a criminal,” Cage once remarked, “to be willing to break the rules to strive for something new…”
Nicolas Cage’s statements on steroids imply, purposefully or not, that Mickey Rourke must have used steroids for the role.
March 11, 2009
A Lebanese man pleaded guilty to smuggling 1,364 ampoules of anabolic steroids into Australia. Youssef Amoud was ordered to pay more than $23,000 in fines and penalties by the Downing Centre Local Court in Sydney. The Lebanese citizen attempted to smuggle over a thousand ampoules of Testosterone Enanthate manufactured by the Iranian Aburaihan Company into Australia while traveling on a temporary visa. Amoud was busted on January 23, 2009 after arriving at the Sydney International Airport on a flight originating out of Lebanon (”$23,000 penalty for smuggling steroids,” March 11).
A Customs and Border Protection investigation led to Mr Youssef Amoud being charged with importing prohibited imports contrary to section 233(1)(b) and making a false statement contrary to section 234(1)(d)(i) of the Customs Act 1901.
Customs and Border Protection officers conducted a search of Mr Amoud’s baggage, acting on a referral from the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service, when he arrived at Sydney International Airport on a flight from Lebanon on Friday 23 January 2009.
The anabolic steroid ampoules were discovered during a search of Amoud’s luggage hidden in several areas including the base of a table lamp, a toy clock and a digital box receiver. Australian Customs and Border Protection performed laboratory analysis on the liquid substance and confirmed that the ampoules contained testosterone enanthate as indicated by the writing on the actual ampoules. The 1,364 testosterone ampoules confiscated were purportedly valued at almost $23,000 on the street.
March 10, 2009
Spanish police have arrested seven individuals for trafficking anabolic steroids and human growth hormone (HGH) in the Marina Baja region of Alicante as part of the ongoing Operation Lisboa investigation. The Guardia Civil confiscated over 4,000 dosage units of steroids and HGH from a business in Benidorm, a gym in Altea and a supplement store in Alfaz del Pi. The Spanish beach resort area is popular among European tourists from the United Kingdom, Germany, Belgium, Norway and France (”Desmantelan dos puntos ilegales de venta de anabolizantes en Benidorm y Altea,” February 21).
Según la Guardia Civil, se han intervenido en varios registros unas cuatro mil dosis, material para su dispensación, además de dos vehículos y una motocicleta de gran cilindrada. [...]
La investigación se originó al tener constancia de que había un grupo organizado dedicado a la distribución de esteroides-anabolizantes, hormonas de crecimiento y otros fármacos prohibidos a través de un establecimiento especializado en nutrición y en suplementación deportiva.
The confiscated performance enhancing drugs have been identified as including Norma Nandrolone Decanoate, Ansomone HGH, and various oral anabolic steroids from Thailand.
March 5, 2009
Former baseball player Darryl Strawberry admits he would have eagerly used anabolic steroids if they had been readily available during the 1980s in Major League Baseball. In a rare display of honesty from a pro athlete on the topic of steroids, Strawberry acknowledges the appeal of steroids to highly competitive athletes (”Strawberry says he would have taken steroids,” March 3).
“Hell yeah, I would have used them. Are you kidding me? I mean, come on. We’re competitive creatures and we have tremendous drive, high tolerance, all these things. I’m not saying that was the right thing to do. But if that was going on in the ’80s, that probably would have been in my system, too. I wouldn’t have denied it because you guys know I don’t deny anything.”
If Strawberry had not been consumed with self-destructive addictions that derailed his career perhaps he would have been more focused on behaviors that would have actually enhanced his performance e.g. anabolic steroids.
Ironically, Darryl Strawberry will probably not be judged as harshly as contemporary MLB players who have, either through admission or implication, been linked to performance enhancing drugs. Strawberry’s numerous off-field transgressions involving his cocaine addiction, sexual escapades, and spousal abuse did not improve his performance on the field; therefore, the general public and baseball fans who decry athletes of the so-called steroid era of baseball are not as offended by Strawberry’s misdeeds. A history of substance abuse, domestic violence involving various women including a pregnant woman, failure to pay child support are one thing but the use of steroids apparently represents an unforgiveable violation that forever tarnishes a player’s reputation. Read more
