DEA Busts Illegal Steroid Traffickers; Largest Ope

[Junkyard Dog]

DEA Busts Illegal Steroid Traffickers; Largest Operation in History

by Jim Kouri - Drug Enforcement agents arrested Albert Saltiel-Cohen, owner of three of the world’s largest anabolic steroid manufacturers, as part of the largest steroid enforcement operation in US history.

The steroid manufacturers involved in this investigation tried to mask the true consumers of these products by marketing them as being developed and sold for use in animals. The veterinary manufacturers (“laboratorios”) took notice of the demand for anabolic steroids and created a marketing strategy tailored to the needs of the US consumer – to include high-quality products and Internet websites.

Communications via the Internet and parcel distributions were the core of these companies’ operations. The websites showcase the products and offer an email address to exchange prices and tracking numbers, and give ordering and payment instructions.

DEA intelligence claim that 82 percent of the steroids seized and analyzed are of Mexican origin. A large majority of those 82 percent seized and analyzed steroids originate from the eight companies identified in Operation Gear Grinder. These businesses conducted their sales via the Internet, and DEA estimates their combined total US steroid sales are $56 million per year.

These eight companies used US-based email addresses and listed each manufacturer utilizing a business website to place their products in the hands of American consumers. Some manufacturers provided direct referrals to distributors through the Contact Us section of the websites.

The steroids were smuggled into the United States, and shipped to customers. In addition, steroids from the eight companies were also shipped to US traffickers, who resold the products to their customers. Financial transactions were primarily done via Western Union wire transfers, as well as bank transfers and credit card payments.

These groups also supplied numerous pharmacies along the US/Mexico border, where US customers could purchase steroids and smuggle them back across the border into the United States.

In addition to the Saltiel-Cohen arrest and indictments, DEA agents arrested 4 steroid trafficking suspects in San Diego and Laredo, TX. As part of Operation Gear Grinder, DEA also identified over 2,000 US customers that have received steroids from the businesses indicted. These customers consist of individual users, street-level dealers, and organized trafficking groups in dozens of cities across the country.