From: jkp@cs.HUT.FI (Jyrki Kuoppala)
Subject: [sci.med et al] FBI Conducts Crackdown on Illegal Anabolic Steroid Distribution
Reply-To: jkp@cs.HUT.FI (Jyrki Kuoppala)
Organization: Helsinki University of Technology, Finland
Date: Wed, 12 Aug 1992 17:54:32 GMT

A repost from sci.med,rec.sport.misc,misc.legal,ba.sports,talk.politics.drugs,fj.rec.sports:

From: Nigel.Allen@bbs.oit.unc.edu (Nigel Allen)
Subject: FBI Conducts Crackdown on Illegal Anabolic Steroid Distribution
Date: Wed, 12 Aug 1992 08:15:08 GMT

I thought you would want to see this press release from the FBI.

 FBI Conducts Crackdown on Illegal Anabolic Steroid Distribution 
 
 Contact: FBI Press Office, 202-324-3691 
 
   WASHINGTON, Aug. 10 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Following in the wake of 
"Operation Goldpill" a month ago, the Federal Bureau of Investigation 
continued its attack on health care fraud and abuse with the 
announcement today of another initiative, code-named "Operation 
Equine." 
   This international investigation focuses on the use of black 
market anabolic steroids. 
   More than 40 individuals in four states and two countries were 
indicted in July on felony charges in connection with illegal steroid 
distribution.  The indictments were unsealed today, and arrests are 
currently under way.  FBI Director William S. Sessions commented, "it 
has been estimated that more than 1 million people nationwide use 
steroids illegally.  Many of these people are not aware of the 
serious risks involved." 
   "Operation Equine," which is still ongoing, began in Detroit two 
years ago.  Through the use of undercover agents and wiretaps, the 
FBI with the assistance of the Food and Drug Administration and the 
U.S. Postal Inspection Service, identified numerous illegal sources 
of steroids in California, Florida, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, 
Washington, Canada and Mexico.  The Drug Enforcement Administration 
provided assistance in the Detroit area; and the Royal Canadian 
Mounted Police also cooperated extensively. 
   Steroids are a synthetic version of the human hormone testosterone 
and are used extensively in veterinary medicine.  Legitimately, 
steroids have limited human use, mainly in the treatment of certain 
diseases.  Some athletes have found, however, that steroids can 
improve their performance.  Taken internally, in conjunction with 
free-weight training, steroids promote extraordinary weight gain and 
muscular development.  Over time, though, steroids can cause severe 
harm to the body, such as hypertension, sterility and irreversible 
heart and liver damage. 
   Two years ago, President Bush signed the Anabolic Steroids Control 
Act of 1990.  This placed 27 anabolic steroids and their derivatives 
into the Schedule III classification of the Controlled Substances 
Act.  This strictly limits how steroids can be used.  Weight gain and 
enhancing athletic performance are not legitimate uses of steroids, 
even if authorized by a physician. 
   Illegal steroid activity falls in three general areas: (1) by 
dispensing or selling legitimately made anabolic steroids; (2) by 
illegally manufacturing and selling steroids using clandestine 
laboratories; and (3) smuggling steroids into the United States for 
distribution on the black market. 
   "The strength of our nation rests with our young people.  We must 
protect them from the dangerous temptation to artificially enhance 
that strength," said Sessions. 
 -30- 

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