STEROID
12-23-2011, 02:02 AM
Polish UG steroids lab operator busted in Ireland gets no jail time.
A Polish body builder and former Mr Northern Ireland competitor has walked free from court, after he admitted importing almost two kilos of raw steroids.
The two year jail term imposed on Mariusz Bak was suspended for three years at Omagh Crown Court, sitting in Belfast, on Wednesday.
Between January 2010 and January 2011, officers from the UK Borders Agency and Customs and Excise seized 1.72 kilos of various body building powders at Heathrow Airport, sent from China and destined for Bak's home address in Dungannon.
Prosecuting lawyer Robin Steer told the court that officers also intercepted a metal press capable of making "thousands" of tablets a day and 13,000 printed labels.
Mr Steer also said the a receipt for the purchase of 1,086 glass vials and "paper work for the delivery of steroids" were uncovered during searches of the 30-year-old's home in Castleview Heights.
Bak was running a Dungannon gym when he was arrested in September 2010. He admitted importing the steroids but claimed the tablet press was to be used to make protein tablets as a body supplement.
Two months after his arrest, Mr Steer said police discovered Bak had ordered more steroids, giving rise to the fear that he was attempting to "replenish his stock".
The lawyer revealed that the total estimated value of the steroids found could have been as much as £42,000 with the total cost of the associated paraphernalia being £5,000.
Orders for steroids were found on Bak's computer and mobile phone and police said it appeared he was "about to embark on moving his production to a higher level, to a commercial scale".
Bak, who moved to NI six years ago, pleaded guilty to possessing the class C steroids with intent to supply and also to importing the drugs.
Defence QC James Gallagher told the court that Bak, who has competed in body building at a "high level with some success", was selling the steroids to his circle of friends for no profit and added that they were in fact legal to own and import for personal use.
In handing down the suspended jail term, Judge Geoffrey Miller QC described the operation as "well planned and well organised" but added that it appeared the "hard working and industrious" Bak did not understand the potential harm for the unlicensed supply of steroids.
Malcolm Bragg, Assistant Director, UK Border Agency Criminal and Financial Investigation, said:
"This sentence reflects the severity of this crime. It sends out a message that we are serious about tackling those responsible for bringing illegal drugs into Britain.
"Our highly skilled officers work tirelessly using the very latest technology to detect and prevent drugs from being smuggled into the UK. We are determined to combat drug trafficking which has such a destructive impact on the lives of so many."
A Polish body builder and former Mr Northern Ireland competitor has walked free from court, after he admitted importing almost two kilos of raw steroids.
The two year jail term imposed on Mariusz Bak was suspended for three years at Omagh Crown Court, sitting in Belfast, on Wednesday.
Between January 2010 and January 2011, officers from the UK Borders Agency and Customs and Excise seized 1.72 kilos of various body building powders at Heathrow Airport, sent from China and destined for Bak's home address in Dungannon.
Prosecuting lawyer Robin Steer told the court that officers also intercepted a metal press capable of making "thousands" of tablets a day and 13,000 printed labels.
Mr Steer also said the a receipt for the purchase of 1,086 glass vials and "paper work for the delivery of steroids" were uncovered during searches of the 30-year-old's home in Castleview Heights.
Bak was running a Dungannon gym when he was arrested in September 2010. He admitted importing the steroids but claimed the tablet press was to be used to make protein tablets as a body supplement.
Two months after his arrest, Mr Steer said police discovered Bak had ordered more steroids, giving rise to the fear that he was attempting to "replenish his stock".
The lawyer revealed that the total estimated value of the steroids found could have been as much as £42,000 with the total cost of the associated paraphernalia being £5,000.
Orders for steroids were found on Bak's computer and mobile phone and police said it appeared he was "about to embark on moving his production to a higher level, to a commercial scale".
Bak, who moved to NI six years ago, pleaded guilty to possessing the class C steroids with intent to supply and also to importing the drugs.
Defence QC James Gallagher told the court that Bak, who has competed in body building at a "high level with some success", was selling the steroids to his circle of friends for no profit and added that they were in fact legal to own and import for personal use.
In handing down the suspended jail term, Judge Geoffrey Miller QC described the operation as "well planned and well organised" but added that it appeared the "hard working and industrious" Bak did not understand the potential harm for the unlicensed supply of steroids.
Malcolm Bragg, Assistant Director, UK Border Agency Criminal and Financial Investigation, said:
"This sentence reflects the severity of this crime. It sends out a message that we are serious about tackling those responsible for bringing illegal drugs into Britain.
"Our highly skilled officers work tirelessly using the very latest technology to detect and prevent drugs from being smuggled into the UK. We are determined to combat drug trafficking which has such a destructive impact on the lives of so many."