The Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office is leading a major anabolic steroid bust this morning originating out of Texas in conjunction with the IRS, Houston DEA office, Fort Bend County District Attorney, US Attorney and the FDA. Operation Farmacia de Juicy Phruit arrests began at 4:30am CDT and have put approximately 50 individuals, including professional bodybuilders, gym owners, personal trainers and even pharmacists, in custody from at least three states including Texas, California and Georgia. The three-year operation could involve as many as 200 individuals.
Some major cities in Fort Bend County, Texas include Stafford, Katy, Pearland, and Sugar Land.
More details after the press conference:
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
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.
The Intermunicipal Police of Thérèse-De Blainville publicly announced the completion of its investigation into the distribution of Syrus Labs, a major Canadian underground lab (UGL) specializing in anabolic steroids. The announcement comes over five months after the steroid bust presumably to allow time for the laboratory at INRS-Institut Armand-Frappier to perform chemical analysis on the seized drugs.
Frédéric Vigeant was arrested and faces multiple charges related to the production, counterfeiting and possession of anabolic steroids and controlled substances for the purpose of trafficking, and a charge related to illegal firearms possession (”Pharmacie clandestine démantelée,” December 10).
Frédéric Vigeant was busted on July 25, 2008 when police responded to a domestic disturbance at the home of Frédéric Vigeant in an affluent neighborhood in Sainte-Thérèse, a suburb north of Montreal, during which they observed significant quantities of tablets and a couple of cannabis plants in plainview. Acting on this information, law enforcement obtained a search warrant and searched and seized substantial quantities of anabolic steroids and ancillary drugs labelled under the Syrus Labs brand as well as recreational drugs (marijuana and amphetamines) stored in the basement of the residence Read more
Brandon Millay, Associate Professor of Electronics at Owensboro Community and Technical College, was indicted on federal steroid distribution charges on December 2, 2008. Millay’s involvement with the “steroid subculture” was well-known; he used his real name “bmillay” as his username on various steroid and bodybuilding forums and openly advertised the fact that he was a college professor with expertise in electronic and experience with military and law enforcement electronic devices (”Grand Jury Indicts Four Owensboro Men On Steroid Distribution Charges,” December 4).
The U.S. Attorney of Western Kentucky says Brandon Millay, 41; Kevin Revelette, 37; Keith Evans, 37; and Jimmie Garrison, 41, were all indicted on Wednesday on charges of conspiring to distribute anabolic steroids. The indictment alleges that the four men tried to distribute the steroids between October 2006 and April 2008.
Brandon Millay was the subject of a steroid bust on or about April 1, 2008. Rumors of Millay’s bust ensued shortly thereafter with speculation about the interrelationship between busts of steroid sources that were in close contact with Millay, such as CPT and Kong. Millay was the first to report the steroid bust involving Scott Haines of UGL Diamond Labs in Nashville, Tennessee. Millay’s proximity to several steroid bust made several members suspicious. Not surprisingly, it was alleged by several people on the forums that bmillay became a cooperating informant for federal and/or state investigators. Millay strongly denied these allegations (”anyone see Bmillay’s post on outlaw??,” April 27).
i have not and will not ever hurt anyone
please let it die
rumors are bad and things do not work like some of you think
yes i have had my share of troubles , but they are mine not yours , and sometimes things aren’t as bad as they seem
Brandon Millay posted prolificly on various forums sharing information about his own steroid use, recommendations on steroid cycling, and methods for thwarting law enforcement efforts targeted at steroid users.
The proprietor of Illusion Labs, a formerly popular Canadian underground steroid lab (UGL), is going to trial in Bridgewater provincial court on January 12-14, 2009 as part of Operation Scott Free which targeted Illusion Labs and its customers. Kevin Wayne Tanner faces various charges under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and the Customs Act that including importing, smuggling, possession, exporting, producing and trafficking anabolic steroids (”Trial time shortened in internet steroids case,” December 2).
Mr. Tanner, 40, faces charges under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, the Customs Act and the Food and Drug Act involving raw hormones, steroids and counteracting drugs he was allegedly importing, producing and selling over the internet.
Authorities are also alleging that his home, a car, an investment account and cash seized are proceeds of his crimes.
Investigators found what they estimated to be $400,000 worth of steroids, raw hormone products, lab equipment and $46,000 cash when they searched Mr. Tanner’s Elm Street home in late January 2007.
They allege he used a series of false names, fake addresses, postal outlets and courier companies to buy raw hormone products from China over the internet, which he then processed into anabolic steroids in a lab set up in a spare bedroom in his home and sold to customers across Canada and the United States.
Authorities found 21 types of steroids and four drugs to counteract the side effects of steroid use during the probe. They say Mr. Tanner promoted the sale of his products, under the name Illusion Laboratories, in internet chat rooms and on message boards.
Kevin Tanner was busted as a result of a 15-month investigation by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and the Bridgewater Police. The investigation originated with the discovery of raw steroid power by CBSA entering Canada from China in April 2005 evenutally resulting in the Nova Scotia steroid bust on January 22, 2007 where an operational steroid lab was discovered in an upstairs bedroom. Operation Scott Free continued to investigate 200 to 300 customers of Illusion Labs in Canada as well as the United States Read more
Law enforcement agencies in Louisiana have conducted a “controlled delivery” of anabolic steroids this week acknowledging that there was “nothing unusual” about the steroid bust pointing out that they intercept packages originating in Europe, Asia and South America.
In this case, the Louisiana State Police were tipped off by U.S. Immigration and Customs Service officials in California to a large package of steroids that originated in China and was address to an individual in Thibodaux, Louisiana . Undercover agents from the Thibodaux Police Deparment and the Lafourche Sheriff’s Department dressed up as mail carriers in a controlled delivery to bust Clint Schwab Read more
Swedish Police have captured and interrogated 40 suspects during a series of pre-dawn raids in a massive steroid bust. Large quantities of anabolic steroids, performance enhancing drugs, and weapons were seized by Sweden’s Rikskriminalpolisen (RKP) in conjunction with police departments in Stockholm, Gävleborg, Jönköping, Blekinge and Halland. The RKP is Sweden’s National Criminal Investigation Department which is responsible for investigating major doping crimes.
The steroids were sold largely in bodybuilding and fitness circles around Stockholm; they were also distributed in various cities throughout Sweden as well as via the Internet. The Sweden Doping Act of 1991 criminalized the importation, distribution, possession and use of anabolic steroids.
The interrogated individuals were implicated as customers of a major steroid dealer who was arrested with his girlfriend in Gävleborg (Sweden) in August 2008. A search of the Gävleborg man’s computer uncovered a customer list that was thought to be the basis of today’s steroid raids Read more
The man that law enforcement officials identified as running a “steroid factory” in his basement has pleaded guilty to to possession with intent to distribute anabolic steroids and unlawful possession of firearms by a convicted felon. He sourced steroids over the Internet using email accounts in the names of gearhustle@cyber-rights.net and gearhustle@safe-mail.net (”Sayreville man admits running steroids lab in his basement,” September 9).
Alfred Scarpa admitted possessing and planning to distribute 40,000 doses of anabolic steroids. He also admitted illegally possessing two .40-caliber handguns in violation of a law prohibiting convicted felons from having guns.
Alfred Scarpa was arrested in a steroid bust during the height of Operation Raw Deal raids by federal agents. DEA agents searched the New Jersey home of electrician Alfred Scarpa on September 20, 2007 after obtaining a search warrant. Agents discovered a fully operational underground steroid lab in “plain view” inside his house, locked in the basement; large quantities of steroid tablets were also discovered in “plain view” hidden inside a cabinet. Read more
Bryan Wilson of Pro Pharm Laboratories pleaded guilty to federal steroid distribution and money laundering charges as a result of Operation Raw Deal. Bryan Wilson and with his ex-wife, April Wilson, partnered illegally in the underground steroid business as well as legally in the “Smoothie Shop” located inside the Maximum Edge Discount Sport Supplement Store in Columbia.
Investigators amassed significant evidence in the case including the use of a confidential informant on ChemicallyEvolved.com to contact and purchase steroids from “Pro Pharm” as well as video surveillance of April Wilson shipping multiple steroid packages at the local post office. Bryan Wilson was arrested in September 2007 at a Kansas City UPS Store when he picked up approximatel one kilogram of steroid powder imported from the Qingdao province in eastern China; vials of Pro Pharm Labs trenbolone, testosterone, and oxandrolone inexplicably included a Kansas City zip code on the label as well (”Columbia man pleads guilty to charges of distributing anabolic steroids,” August 25).
Bryan Wilson’s plea agreement includes details about shipments delivered to his home from companies connected to steroid manufacturing, including a company that sells conversion kits used to turn testosterone powder into an injectable steroid. According to the agreement, investigators used a confidential source to contact Bryan Wilson through e-mail to order anabolic steroids.
The plea agreement also states that multiple bank accounts shared since 2002 by Bryan and April Wilson were used to conceal drug trafficking profits alongside income from the business they co-owned.
Bryan Wilson could face up to 30 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $1 million, according to the news release. The plea agreement states that Wilson will be sentenced at a later hearing.
The 17-year old Matthew Wong was arrested by the Grapevine Police Department on six count of manufacturing and distributing anabolic steroids. The teenager allegedly made the steroids in his own underground lab on a “quiet street where children play.” Police also arrested 26-year-old Averil Cavazos on steroid distribution charges (”Grapevine police bust alleged steroid operation,” April 14).
“Anybody could be their clients,” said Sgt. Kim Smith with the Grapevine Police Department. “We don’t have any information on who their client base was.”
Police issued a strongly worded warning about steroids.
“It can become addictive and can become dangerous and fatal,” Smith said.
The media and law enforcement continue to remind the public about the fatal dangers of steroids.
The Norfolk County Police Anti-Crime Task Force and Millis Police Department busted Daniel Pease on steroid distribution and steroid conspiracy charges. Pease purchased raw steroid powders from China and manufactured oral and injectable steroids in an underground lab in his apartment.
This was a relatively small-time steroid bust except that authorities discovered a how-to-make-anabolic-steroids instruction list in Pease’ apartment. Authorities revealed that elephant and dog tranquilizers were mixed with other chemicals to magically create anabolic steroids (”Millis man charged with steroid production,” April 14)?!
Detective Domenic Tiberi said more than $5,000 worth of steroids, 300 to 400 syringes and several chemicals, including elephant and dog tranquilizers, were confiscated …
Police believe different chemicals, such as the animal tranquilizers, were mixed together to make the steroids.
Police provided additional insight on the illicit underground steroid market by estimating that 20 vials of injectable steroids and 100 steroid tablets could supply steroid cycles for about 30 people.
Police found enough steroids to supply 30 people, Tiberi said.
At least 100 manufactured capsules were found in the apartment along with 20 bottles ready to be injected.
Through training, experience and undercover work, police were able to identify the chemicals, Tiberi said.
Pease or the Millis Police Department did not realize that steroids were already as dangerous as methamphetamines without the addition of “elephant tranquilizers.”
A federal steroid investigation in Texas that shut down a major steroid source in the Texas is now targeting an NFL football player. Matt Lehr, currently with the New Orleans Saints but previously with the Dallas Cowboys and Atlanta Falcons, was one of the subjects of a grand jury investigation convening in Texas according to the New York Times. At least one active NFL player from the Atlanta Falcons was subpoenaed to testify against Lehr on possible steroid distribution charges (”Former Dallas Cowboy named in steroid investigation,” April 8 ).
Amateur bodybuilder David Jacobs was the steroid source that was busted in May 2007. Jacobs had extensive ties to both amateur and professional bodybuilders; he was widely recognized in the sport as IFBB Pro Branch Warren’s training partner. Fortunately for the sport of bodybuilding, bodybuilders were NOT the target of the federal investigation. It now appears that the end target(s) of the U.S. attorney’s office are professional football player(s).
David Jacobs had also previously trained with NFL player Matt Lehr in Texas. Lehr’s former girlfriend, female bodybuilder Andrea Trent, confirmed that David Jacobs and Matt Lehr were close.
“David and Matt were close and pretty tight,” said Ms. Trent, adding that they worked out together “all the time.”
Branch Warren has distanced himself from David Jacobs but surprisingly has come to the defense of football player Matt Lehr in the Dallas Morning News.
Local pro bodybuilder Branch Warren, who used to train with Mr. Jacobs, said he is friends with Mr. Lehr and does not believe the NFL player has ever done anything illegal.
“My understanding is, Mr. Lehr was suspended and he moved on with his life,” said Mr. Warren, who lives in Tarrant County. “Matt made a mistake, and he admitted to it. He’s a good guy.
“He’s an NFL player. Why would he sell drugs, someone who makes that kind of money?”
Mr. Warren said that although he does not condone steroid use, he believes it is pervasive in professional sports.
Matt Lehr’s attorney is trying to discredit Jacobs suggesting that the case against Lehr will be dropped due to faulty information provided by Jacobs. But David Jacobs has denied providing federal prosecutors with the names of customers who bought steroids from him stressing that evidence and associations with Lehr were established independent of his cooperation.
Mr. Jacobs denies that he gave up any of his customers’ names to prosecutors. But he says during the course of their investigation of him – which he says dates back to 2005 – authorities tracked his associations and developed the information on their own…
Federal prosecutors are looking at bank records, correspondence and other evidence analyzing what investigators believe could outline transactions involving anabolic steroids and human growth hormone between Mr. Jacobs and Mr. Lehr.
One thing is for certain – the federal investigation in Texas is far from over. All parties involved in related steroid cases must continue to wait for the conclusion of their respective cases while the feds pursue anabolic steroids in football.
Two men were sitting in a parked car in the New Springville Barnes & Noble parking lot Sunday night. Police decided to search their vehicle because they were “acting furtively.” This a euphemistic way of saying they looked guilty and they were up to no good! (”2 Staten Island men had $800 worth of steroids, cops say,” March 25)
Cops got wise to the car’s occupants… after they spotted the duo “acting furtively” in their car at about 9:00 p.m., a police source said.
The store was closed for the night, and the two men were parked next to a second, vacant car, the source alleged.
When police searched the car, they found about $800 worth of steroids — pills, bottles and a liquid capsule of testosterone and other substances, court papers allege.
Both men were charged with three counts each of fifth- and seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.
It seems clear the men possessed the anabolic steroids for personal use.
“Acting furtively” is apparently sufficient reason to invite police to search your car. This is yet another reason why it is advisable to “just say ‘no’ to police searches.”
In the aftermath of the British Dragon and Redicat steroid bust in Thailand, steroid sources in the Southeast Asian country continue to face disruptions in their steroid distribution efforts (”Customs uncover ‘huge’ steroids stash,” April 1).
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.
