Steroid Sting Fallout:Identified 30,000 to 40,000 Alleged Users

**Logan13** · 11-01-2007, 05:29 PM

Be careful!
Steroid Sting Fallout: Epidemic of Abuse
E-Mails, Credit Card Records Identified 30,000 to 40,000 Alleged Users
http://abcnews.go.com/WN/FedCrimes/S...3802782&page=1

After a recent series of raids uncovered illegally produced steroids by the barrel full, ABC News has learned that the alleged underground labs might have had as many as 30,000 to 40,000 customers.

Story
'Roid Raid: DEA Wraps Massive Steroid Probe The Drug Enforcement Administration says it has identified those alleged clients of the thriving multi-million-dollar black market industry through e-mails and credit card purchase records obtained during the course of the investigation.

Watch the Full Report Tonight on "World News with Charles Gibson."
Law enforcement agents discovered steroids, human growth hormone and other drugs at 56 clandestine labs across the United States as part of a two-year operation that culminated with a massive sweep earlier this fall. Officials say the caches could have supplied more than 11 million individual doses of the drugs.

Additionally, investigators say they seized $6.5 million during the operation.

"People are using this stuff in huge amounts, and other people are making a lot of money on that abuse," DEA spokesman Rusty Payne told ABC News.

"We see in an investigation like this how much money can be made," he said. "That's the motivation for what these people are doing."

Dealers utilized underground Web sites, chat rooms and message boards to market the steroids. The drugs were typically bought online, by credit card, and then mailed or shipped to the buyer's home.

'Athletes at Every Level'
Authorities said the goal of steroid users is often simple -- to gain a competitive advantage.

Largest Steroid Raid Ever"I think you have a lot of weekend warriors, a lot of body builders," Payne said of typical steroid users, but there are also "athletes at every level -- professional, college, high school."

"High school girls are taking steroids now to look better, to get more tone -- in some cases, to get that athletic edge as well," he added.

And steroid traffickers often don't fit the profile of the stereotypical drug dealer. Last March in East Hanover, Pa. police arrested a body builder who also served as a volunteer football coach for a local high school for illegally manufacturing steroids.

'The Desire to Win'
The father of a teen who used steroids says it was the allure of a greater athletic prowess caused his son to start taking the drugs after a coach told him he needed to get bigger and stronger to excel at baseball.

Don Hooton says his son Taylor, only 17 years old at the time, began using illegal steroids because of a combination of factors, from the desire to emulate the successes of professional athletes, to "peer pressure, the desire to win, mom and dad pushing the kids, in a good way, but to make a starting line-up, to try to earn that scholarship," Hooton explained.

Taylor's Tragic End
But Taylor Hooton's case ended in tragedy, after the steroid apparently triggered deep depression.

"His mom found him hanging on the bedroom door after committing suicide," Don Hooton recalled. "He was a good kid and we miss him terribly. It's just a completely totally senseless, useless waste of a fine young man."

"These kids like Taylor are the achievers. They are taking steroids not to get high," Hooton said. "They are taking them because they think it is a pathway, a panacea to success, to the starting line-up, to winning, to getting the scholarship."

Don Hooton started a foundation in his son's memory in 2004, with the goal of stamping out the use of performance-enhancing drugs.

Serious Side Effects
Steroids are used primarily to quickly build and shrink recovery time after an injury. But those taking steroids for illicit purposes, rather than out of medical-supervised necessity, might not realize just how dangerous they can be.

Use of 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 and depression.

'Russian Roulette'
"The use of anabolic steroids is exactly like playing Russian roulette with your body, because you have no idea where that product is actually coming from," said Special Agent John Gilbride, who heads up the DEA's New York field division.

"There is no quality control premium being placed on the production" of the drugs, he added.

Gilbride said that in almost all of the illegal labs raided, authorities found unsanitary conditions. They also identified more than 30 companies in China that allegedly supplied the chemicals needed to produce steroids.

DEA officials said the precursor drugs from China were shipped to the United States where drug dealers would then use their labs to produce the finished steroids.

It is unclear which, if any, government agency in China regulates chemicals exported from the country.

Who's on the List?
Worry is already spreading over who is on the lists of users. The NCAA and major professional sports leagues have contacted the DEA, but the agency says there are restrictions on turning over the identities of users because of ongoing investigations.

But the question remains -- how far should the DEA take the investigations of individual steroid users? Should they arrest teenagers who are using?

The DEA will only say some steroid abusers will be arrested on a case-by-case basis, but for now the primary focus is on taking down traffickers.

DEA officials say they have to target the suppliers, because the demand is clearly there.

**Lexed** · 11-01-2007, 05:36 PM

I just watched ABC and they where talking about this..... They showed SSB site I miss it

**Atomini** · 11-01-2007, 05:45 PM

Assholes.

All these articles are the same. The layout is always the same thing: first they talk about what happened, then they talk about deaths that vaguely related to steroids , then they pull the scare tactic by listing supposed 'dangerous side effects' in order to convince the general ignorant population of how dangerous this stuff is, and then after that they pull the big scare tactic saying they're going to chase down the users.

Fvck you, government.

**Logan13** · 11-01-2007, 05:50 PM

This is what I find the most disturbing:

"ABC News has learned that the alleged underground labs might have had as many as 30,000 to 40,000 customers.....E-Mails, Credit Card Records"

**xlxBigSexyxlx** · 11-01-2007, 05:56 PM

steroids dont kill people

the government does.

**** em

I guess Ill just pick up drinking and smoking, then join the army and live the best, healthiest life....

**eddy tye** · 11-01-2007, 06:35 PM

Originally Posted by xlxBigSexyxlx

I guess Ill just pick up drinking and smoking, then join the army and live the best, healthiest life....

hey thats a great idea,and we can even get taxed while were doing it!!! im shure they'll be much more happy with that

**Amorphic** · 11-01-2007, 07:06 PM

another case of the 'steroids cause depression and suicide' headlines. sigh.

**juicejunkie2** · 11-01-2007, 07:52 PM

""The use of anabolic steroids is exactly like playing Russian roulette with your body, because you have no idea where that product is actually coming from," said Special Agent John Gilbride, who heads up the DEA's New York field division. "

I did feel like I'm playing Russian Roulette when I first discovered UGL gear ... turned out awesome though... maybe just lucky?? Not sure but I did save a ton of cash

30-40K customers... that blows my mind ... and those are just the guys they "have records" for. AAS Nation anyone? Any nominations for Pres?

**RuhlFreak55** · 11-01-2007, 08:10 PM

i'm game junkie.....we need to do SOMETHING....we can't just sit idly by and let all our fellow juicers be arrested and sentenced for crimes that aren't crimes and are our right as individuals.....something must be done......the gays and every other group have marches...the pot smokers....we should raise awareness somehow....some way to get out the simple fact above the media that we are in fact not dying of this we are becoming more healthy in cases and it's no worse than many things that are legal here.......we must act or lose all our freedoms forever in eventuality

**Kratos** · 11-01-2007, 08:18 PM

what do you propose Ruhl? The usual complaining about it via forum?

**Atomini** · 11-01-2007, 08:22 PM

Originally Posted by Kratos

what do you propose Ruhl? The usual complaining about it via forum?

War.

**juicejunkie2** · 11-01-2007, 08:24 PM

Originally Posted by Atomini

War.

FREEEEEEEEDDDDOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!!!!

**RuhlFreak55** · 11-01-2007, 08:25 PM

Originally Posted by Atomini

War.

well.....we could go to war lol.......

protest maybe? go to the court house of one of these cases and protest? like the black people do all the time in movies?

**juicejunkie2** · 11-01-2007, 08:27 PM

Originally Posted by RuhlFreak55

i'm game junkie.....we need to do SOMETHING....we can't just sit idly by and let all our fellow juicers be arrested and sentenced for crimes that aren't crimes and are our right as individuals.....something must be done......the gays and every other group have marches...the pot smokers....we should raise awareness somehow....some way to get out the simple fact above the media that we are in fact not dying of this we are becoming more healthy in cases and it's no worse than many things that are legal here.......we must act or lose all our freedoms forever in eventuality

I hear you Ruhl ... but man if it were just that easy to go marching for our rights then I'd be game ... most of us are professionals in whichever field and want ZERO attention to fall on us when it comes to negative press ... the man has us by the short and curlies!! THIS SHIAT SUCKS!!

**RuhlFreak55** · 11-01-2007, 08:30 PM

Originally Posted by juicejunkie2

I hear you Ruhl ... but man if it were just that easy to go marching for our rights then I'd be game ... most of us are professionals in whichever field and want ZERO attention to fall on us when it comes to negative press ... the man has us by the short and curlies!! THIS SHIAT SUCKS!!

then we are doomed to fail.....and be picked off one by one until we are nothing more than a rag tag group of law dodgers.....

freedom must be fought for.....

**Atomini** · 11-01-2007, 08:42 PM

What the hell has happened to the old adage of getting things done around here? There are no more armed uprisings. No more revolutions to fix things. These days people just let the government walk all over them. It's the people that are supposed to control the government, NOT the other way around! When is the last time we ever had a war or conflict of ANY sort on North American soil?!?! IT'S BEEN TOO LONG!!! 147 YEARS!!! ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY SEVEN YEARS!!!! It's time we get a conflict going to wake up these dumbass mother fvckers on this continent who don't give a shit about anything that are wandering around the god damn mall all day scratching their asses, pulling credit cards out of their fanny packs and buying pairs of sneakers with LIGHTS IN THEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

**CheddaNips** · 11-01-2007, 08:59 PM

Originally Posted by RuhlFreak55

i'm game junkie.....we need to do SOMETHING....we can't just sit idly by and let all our fellow juicers be arrested and sentenced for crimes that aren't crimes and are our right as individuals.....something must be done......the gays and every other group have marches...the pot smokers....we should raise awareness somehow....some way to get out the simple fact above the media that we are in fact not dying of this we are becoming more healthy in cases and it's no worse than many things that are legal here.......we must act or lose all our freedoms forever in eventuality

Awesome. Everytime someone posts something like this, RuhlFreak has an awesome statement about freedom and creating an uprising. Maby its time for the revoulition. 2nd amendment anyone?

**Kratos** · 11-01-2007, 09:03 PM

military is too big and awsome for us to have any militia power anymore, we would die so quick any easy and look like a bunch of retards on tricycles doing it.

**Amorphic** · 11-01-2007, 09:33 PM

Originally Posted by Kratos

military is too big and awsome for us to have any militia power anymore, we would die so quick any easy and look like a bunch of retards on tricycles doing it.

like moths to the flame we go

**xlxBigSexyxlx** · 11-01-2007, 09:39 PM

lets create weapons of mass destruction!

be dropping A Bombs on them! ( no pun intended

)

**RuhlFreak55** · 11-02-2007, 12:29 PM

Originally Posted by xlxBigSexyxlx

lets create weapons of mass destruction!

be dropping A Bombs on them! ( no pun intended

)

lol.....whos them? problem there you hurt innocent people that may not even have anything against the juicy juice......need one of them Coup de tats

**PROTEINSHAKE** · 11-02-2007, 12:48 PM

Originally Posted by juicejunkie2

FREEEEEEEEDDDDOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!!!!

Lets have the MILLION MEATHEAD MARCH on the capital building..... & see what happens

**PROTEINSHAKE** · 11-02-2007, 12:49 PM

Originally Posted by xlxBigSexyxlx

lets create weapons of mass destruction!

we could make malitov cocktails with all the empty vials.....

**sphincter** · 11-02-2007, 05:44 PM

you guys are funny. you know that (seriously) whenever you talk of coups and overthrowing the Gov't that you're inviting a visit by The Man, right?? they have to investigate all threats agains tteh nation wether or not they think it may becredible.. that's why they investigate freakin Eminem.. 'cause he wrote a song about killing the pres (not doing it, but it happening)...

A guy I know (personally) got a visit for trying to see if anyone knew anyone looking to buy a gun on our local online forum... it wasn't even his gun but for a friend out of state.. he just asked if anyone knew anyone lookingto buy the gun and he got a visit from BATF asking why he was aiding thesale of illegal firearm in CA??? believe it or not if you want to, but they ARE watching this shit.

**RuhlFreak55** · 11-02-2007, 06:06 PM

Originally Posted by sphincter

you guys are funny. you know that (seriously) whenever you talk of coups and overthrowing the Gov't that you're inviting a visit by The Man, right?? they have to investigate all threats agains tteh nation wether or not they think it may becredible.. that's why they investigate freakin Eminem.. 'cause he wrote a song about killing the pres (not doing it, but it happening)...

A guy I know (personally) got a visit for trying to see if anyone knew anyone looking to buy a gun on our local online forum... it wasn't even his gun but for a friend out of state.. he just asked if anyone knew anyone lookingto buy the gun and he got a visit from BATF asking why he was aiding thesale of illegal firearm in CA??? believe it or not if you want to, but they ARE watching this shit.

bring it the **** on

**RuhlFreak55** · 11-02-2007, 06:10 PM

if there's one thing i'll never do it's live in fear....of the government or otherwise

**sphincter** · 11-02-2007, 06:26 PM

I'm certainly not saying live in fear but living in denial doesn't help either.. I say live in the REAL WORLD where you should at least be aware of what your actions could bring about and be smart about it.

Do I have LOTS of issues with teh Gov't? SURE!!

Do I think it wise to go on the open internet on a site pretty much Guaranteed to be watched by LEO and say I want to overthrow the Gov't and make molitov cocktails?? umm, I'll have to go with, NO.

**Atomini** · 11-02-2007, 06:27 PM

I Want To Overthrow The Government And Make Molotov Cocktails!!!!!

**CheddaNips** · 11-02-2007, 06:29 PM

Originally Posted by RuhlFreak55

if there's one thing i'll never do it's live in fear....of the government or otherwise

+1 the government should fear the people. I highly doubt anyoun is goin on a rampage here, but we think the way the gov't treats gear is totally unacceptable and we have our right to think that. Thats why there thousands of men and women in the middle east fighting some shitty uncalled for war. And hundreds of thousands have died for our freedom of speech and i will use it to my full extent

**jojo2002** · 11-02-2007, 06:48 PM

I just had an idea... back the 1950's people thought homosexuality was a disease an illness right and doctors tried sticking them with test to make them straight instead they were just alot more hornier men. Talked about how gay men where sick and arrested etc... Well if it wasn't after a study by Dr. Evelyn Hooker which was a expirement on the mental characterstics of gay men vs. straight the gay movement wouldnt have started.

My Point if there is 30,000 - 40,000 which is great group for a scientific experiment on what steroids actually do and to disprove myths on steroids actually document and have it controlled. Make a huge detailed report have it published etc... do all the steps we need to justify it. I think this would be the first step. anybody??

**Atomini** · 11-02-2007, 06:54 PM

You think nobody has petitioned for long term studies on steroids in order to disprove all the stupid propaganda that has been floating around? It's been done. And it's been refused.

They just will not do it or allow it to be done.

**Tock** · 11-02-2007, 06:55 PM

One big problem is that too many AS and other recreational drug users keep voting for politicians that support the War On Drugs. My guess is that some of y'all will do the same thing. And if that's the case, why bother to march at all?

**RuhlFreak55** · 11-02-2007, 06:56 PM

hard to coordinate that many people

**jojo2002** · 11-02-2007, 06:57 PM

im not saying petition... i havent seen any documents with lets say 10,000 indivduals with detailed blood reports pro and cons thats been published.. if so please let me know what its called i like to read it...

**RuhlFreak55** · 11-02-2007, 06:57 PM

Originally Posted by Tock

One big problem is that too many AS and other recreational drug users keep voting for politicians that support the War On Drugs. My guess is that some of y'all will do the same thing. And if that's the case, why bother to march at all?

well given the choice between ****ed democrat taxes and the business loving (albeit insane) republicans what choice do i really have?

**jojo2002** · 11-02-2007, 07:03 PM

I think if a FORM was created like rate your aggression 1-10 and other "items" associated with steroids and compounds used. Have blood work done every month send it one person that is accredited to publish such things have him put it together.. if people wanted it fixed so bad they would take the initiative.

**IronReload04** · 11-02-2007, 07:10 PM

well, if taking steroids is rush routlet

what the **** is smoking a cigarette than.......more like a sure thing if you ask me......we know what that does

so what the ****

**IronReload04** · 11-02-2007, 07:15 PM

so steroids have been indirectly "linked" to what 10 deaths;......and of these 10, massive massive grey area

cigarettes kill people like their the ****en plague....

what the ****?