Freedom
07-01-2015, 03:05 AM
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/breaking-news/os-steroid-trafficking-ring-bust-seminole-20150617-story.html
An investigation into an international illegal steroid trafficking ring rooted in Seminole County ended in federal charges against 18 men who functioned as organizers, manufacturers and shippers in the internet-based operation, federal officials announced Wednesday.
The members of the trafficking ring are accused of shipping illegal steroids — including oral capsules and oil-based injectable steroids — to customers throughout the U.S. and internationally between April 2012 and August 2014.
"The orders were made through websites maintained in foreign countries, and the steroids were processed and sent to customers from Central Florida via the United States Mail," a U.S. Attorney's Office news release said.
Some of the men are facing a maximum 20 years in prison for conspiracy to manufacture, distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances charges.
Others are charged with conspiracy to conduct international money laundering, which carries a maximum 20-year prison sentence.
The U.S. Attorney's Office alleges that some of the men sent money to China to purchase raw steroids and others picked up the profit from the drug sales.
The ring members allegedly disguised their participation by using fake names and identities, using different post offices across the country and using Money Gram and Western Union to receive money from the drug sales at various locations in Central Florida.
"The indictment also notifies the defendants that the United States is seeking a money judgment in the amount of the proceeds of the drug trafficking and money laundering offenses," the release said.
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Drug Enforcement Administration and U.S. Marshals Service investigated this case.
It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney E. Jackson Boggs Jr.
An investigation into an international illegal steroid trafficking ring rooted in Seminole County ended in federal charges against 18 men who functioned as organizers, manufacturers and shippers in the internet-based operation, federal officials announced Wednesday.
The members of the trafficking ring are accused of shipping illegal steroids — including oral capsules and oil-based injectable steroids — to customers throughout the U.S. and internationally between April 2012 and August 2014.
"The orders were made through websites maintained in foreign countries, and the steroids were processed and sent to customers from Central Florida via the United States Mail," a U.S. Attorney's Office news release said.
Some of the men are facing a maximum 20 years in prison for conspiracy to manufacture, distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances charges.
Others are charged with conspiracy to conduct international money laundering, which carries a maximum 20-year prison sentence.
The U.S. Attorney's Office alleges that some of the men sent money to China to purchase raw steroids and others picked up the profit from the drug sales.
The ring members allegedly disguised their participation by using fake names and identities, using different post offices across the country and using Money Gram and Western Union to receive money from the drug sales at various locations in Central Florida.
"The indictment also notifies the defendants that the United States is seeking a money judgment in the amount of the proceeds of the drug trafficking and money laundering offenses," the release said.
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Drug Enforcement Administration and U.S. Marshals Service investigated this case.
It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney E. Jackson Boggs Jr.