Most bodybuilders who use anabolic steroids manufactured by underground labs (UGLs) in the United States are primarily concerned with whether or not the product is accurately dosed with the anabolic steroid listed on the label. Some more health conscious steroid users are also concerned about potential health risks arising from the contamination of UGL steroid products with bateria and/or heavy metals. Fortunately, bacterial contamination is not a common problem since most UGLs effectively sterilize the product by adding ingredients such as benzyl alcohol, etc. However, few people have actually considered the potential toxicity of using anabolic steroids contaminated with heavy metals. Given that most of the steroid powder is illicitly imported from China, the possibility of contamination with lead, tin, mercury, arsenic, etc. is a real possibility.
Jesse Abundiz aka Wickedone, the owner of Morning Star Labs, was arrested on March 1, 2008 and charged with possession with intent to distribute 9,468,.24 grams of anabolic steroids. Abundiz purchased medical grade laboratory equipment to set up an underground steroid lab in his mother’s Las Vegas home.
The investigation began 19 months ago when the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol notified the FBI and DEA that Abundiz was using a post office box in Sacramento to receive anabolic steroid powders from China. In December 2007, a search warrant was executed on his mother’s home where the operational underground lab was discovered.
At the residence, investigators apparently found an “operational underground steroid lab” containing controlled substances and lab equipment with a street value of roughly $1 million, the FBI said.
Vials, syringes, beakers, medical-grade vacuum pumps, butte stoppers, label makers and labels reading “Morning StarLabs” reportedly were recovered.
About 400,000 dosage units, or roughly 11 kilograms of controlled substances that included anabolic steroid powders, were recovered at the residence, according to the FBI.
It is unclear whether his mother will be charged or if additional conspiracy charges will be added.
Kenneth Herbert, one of the principals behind the anabolic steroid underground labs TexStar Labs, Phalco Labs and Nassau Pharmaceuticals, has pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute anabolic steroids and has agreed to cooperate with federal authorities. In exchange, prosecutors will drop 28 other counts listed in the federal indictment including money laundering and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
Kenneth Herbert and his common law wife were arrested in September 2007 as part of Operation Raw Deal. Another steroid distributor who was arrested on March 28, 2007 in a related investigation provided information to the DEA that led to crackdown on the UGL.
Authorities claim they operated one of the largest underground labs (UGL) in the country. Court records show the following items were seized from Herbert’s residence:
Four pill/tablet presses, approximately eight kilograms of raw steroid powders, over 100,000 steroid pill/tablets, a clandestine steroids laboratory, and a large volume of glassware, vials, and bottling supplies. The items seized were consistent with a large scal steroids laboratory capable of producing at least 50,000 tablets per hour.
Kenneth Herbert is scheduled for sentencing on May 1, 2008. He faces up to 5 years in prison and/or a fine of up to $250,000. Prosecutors will recommend sentencing at the low end of federal guidelines assuming the Herbert provides “substantial assistance” in agreeing to “cooperate, debrief and, if necessary, testify.”
