124 People Charged; 56 Labs Seized
The DEA said the wide-ranging probe, dubbed "Operation Raw Deal," was assisted by foreign governments in nine countries including China and led to the seizure of 56 laboratories for manufacturing anabolic steroids and human growth hormone.
Investigators said in all more than 11 million doses of steroids were seized, in addition to nearly $7 million in cash, 25 cars, three boats and 71 weapons.
Agents said they seized more than 500 pounds of raw powder originating in China and used to manufacture steroids.
In addition to New York, raids and arrests took place in San Diego, Houston, Kansas City and Providence, R.I., said Sanders.
Officials said the investigation was international in scope, stretching from Mexico to Australia, Sweden to Thailand.
DEA officials called the importation a public health issue, saying some of the importers mislabeled the products and that the drugs are often produced in unsafe, unsanitary conditions. For example, agents said, some of the drugs were being produced in bathroom sinks
Drug Enforcement Administration officials say they wrapped up the largest investigation of illegal steroid use in U.S. history early this morning. An investigation that, they say, leads directly back to China.
Sources tell ABC News that a series of raids across the United States uncovered an extensive underground network of illegal laboratories and large-scale marketing operations via the Internet.
More than 56 labs were targeted, with more than 120 arrests made in New York, San Diego, Providence, Kansas City and Houston.
Operation Raw Deal allegedly discovered millions of doses of anabolic steroids, human growth hormone and other drugs worth tens of millions of dollars.
Investigators say they identified more than 30 companies in China that allegedly supplied the chemicals needed to produce steroids.
According to DEA officials, the precursor drugs from China were shipped to the United States where drug dealers would then use their labs to produce the finished steroids.
Underground Web sites, chat rooms and message rooms marketed the drugs to young people and athletes.
The magnitude of the operations uncovered suggests that the customer base for illegal steroids is clearly in the thousands. And those taking the steroids without a doctor's prescription might not realize just how dangerous they are.
Officials say the drugs are often produced in unregulated, often filthy conditions.
Anabolic steroids can have serious side effects, such as strokes, blood clots, high blood pressure, heart disease, liver damage and severe mood swings, including aggression.
The results of the probe are expected to be announced Monday in a series of press conferences around the country.
----
Authorities call it "Operation Raw Deal." Yahoo! columnist Dan Wetzel calls it "Armageddon" for athletes.
It's a multinational drug bust stretching all the way to China that has already led to more than 100 arrests and could make many athletes nervous. The Washington Post's Amy Shipley says the operation could have "unusual and unnerving repercussions for the clientele of the labs."
Shipley describes the raid: "Federal agents raided more than four dozen underground drug labs and arrested 124 people in 27 states during an 18-month crackdown on Chinese steroids, human growth hormone and other performance-enhancing drugs that reached its culmination in the last four days, Drug Enforcement Administration officials said yesterday. ...
And she points to China's role: "Under pressure from Olympic and world anti-doping officials to address China's reputation as the main global supplier of illicit performance-enhancing drugs with the 2008 Summer Games in Beijing just 11 months away, Chinese authorities cooperated with the probe, DEA officials said."
Why should athletes care? Yahoo! writer Josh Peter explains: "Federal officials are creating a database of names of the people who received steroids, human growth hormone (HGH) and other drugs banned by most sports leagues and athletic associations, DEA spokesman Rusty Payne said."
ESPN's Shaun Assael tells us investigators are active in the virtual world as well: "The investigation also focused on message boards where advice is traded about obtaining raw materials, as well as on the Web sites that help the labs sell finished products to the public. Hundreds of thousands of e-mails were intercepted, according to Dan Simmons, a San Diego-based special agent for the DEA."
Peter also gives the total value of drugs seized in the raids: "Investigators hauled in countless bags and boxes loaded with steroids that have a street value potentially exceeding $50 million, Payne said. The stockpile included 11.4 million doses of steroids, which based on the 0.5 milliliter per dose used by the DEA for calculations, amounts to about 570,000 vials that each hold 10 milliliters."
Shipley's story says we'll have news conferences today in New York, San Diego, Houston, Kansas City and Providence, R.I.
---
A Sayreville, N.J., electrician who allegedly operated out of a basement filled with chemicals, tubs and vials was charged yesterday with manufacturing, possessing and distributing anabolic steroids from his upscale home on a quiet cul-de-sac.
The raid at the home of Alfred Scarpa, 34, was the second major steroid-related raid launched by law-enforcement officials this week.
"It appears from today's events and the investigation leading up to today's raid that Mr. Scarpa was a major manufacturer and distributor of illegal steroid products," Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Kirsch said.
The Justice Department said Wednesday that Specialty Distribution Systems, Inc., of St. Louis, had admitted distributing human growth hormone to athletes and entertainers, and agreed to pay a $10.5 million fine and to cooperate with investigators.
Albany County District Attorney David Soares, meanwhile, is continuing his two-year investigation into pharmacies and doctors who illegally distribute steroids, HGH and other drugs over the Internet.
Scarpa, who has two previous felony drug convictions, admitted he was involved in buying, making and selling steroids, according to a Drug Enforcement Agency complaint filed in federal court yesterday. Scarpa was ordered held without bail by U.S. Magistrate Esther Salas.
Kirsch would not comment when asked if Scarpa had supplied athletes with performance-enhancing drugs, saying the investigation remains active and ongoing. He also declined to say if he expected further arrests. But the arrest has surely caught the attention of athletes, team executives and league officials.
Kirsch said DEA agents seized almost $57,000 in cash and two semiautomatic weapons from the Sayreville home, and Kirsch said Scarpa could face additional charges.
The basement was filled with tubs, bottles and equipment associated with the manufacture of steroids, including a centrifuge, according to the complaint.
Vials labeled as stanozolol, testosterone and nandrolone were also seized from the home.
"It is obvious," said Kirsch, "that Mr. Scarpa was a major manufacturer of steroids."
---
