DEA agents have raided a well-known gym in Miami for distributing anabolic steroids and TRT clinic.
Iron Addicts in Miami, a well-known gym frequented by bodybuilders has been raided by DEA agents after information came to light that anabolic steroids were being sold illegally. Customers reported officers coming into the gym and disrupting workout on social media.
As well as Iron Addicts Gym and Wellness Fitness & Nutrition (WFN Pharma) was also shutdown by the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). The latter was an FDA-approved compounding pharmacy, but this was merely a disguise for an underground lab (UGL).
United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New york Robert Capers said: “As alleged, the defendants made millions of dollars through the illicit online sales of anabolic steroids while operating under the guise of an ‘FDA-compliant’ health and wellness business. This case serves as a message that my Office and our law enforcement partners will not allow the widespread illegal distribution of anabolic steroids to go unchecked.”
DEA investigators arrested 9 people in the raid, including husband and wife Richard Rodriguez and Nancy Rodriguez. These two were listed as the co-owners of the companies involved in the illegal distribution and manufacturing network. Police said Richard was the ringleader.
Others arrested in the case were Edward Jacob Liff, Xzavier Apodaca, Byron Oliver, Erick Vittitow, Bader Alaskari, Bernard Duran, Jonathan Gonzalez.
Just like almost all USA based UGL’s, raw hormone powder was imported from China and then manufactured into finished oral steroid tablets and injectable preparations. This is often done in unsanitary environments which can lead to infections and abscesses for steroid users when injected.
Under their label ‘WFN Pharma’, Anavar (Oxandrolone), Dianabol, Winstrol (Stanozolol), Testosterone, Deca-Durabolin, Trenbolone, Anadrol and various blended injectable products were all offered to the public and online through wellnessfitnessnutrition.com. In truth, WFN was not licensed to sell these products without a prescription in the United States.
A number of major former and current IFBB Pro’s endorsed WFN Pharma thinking the business was legitimate. These included 8-time Mr. Olympia champion Ronnie Coleman, Kevin Levrone and Flex Wheeler, Johnnie Jackson, Chris Cormier, Brandon Curry, Iris Kyle, Fred Smalls and Jeff Long. Pro wrestler Ric Draisin and documentary maker Chris Bell of ‘Bigger Stronger Faster’ and ‘Prescription Thugs’ were also part of the outfit.
WFN operated an affiliate program where affiliates were given commission for referrals to the business when new customer transactions successful. Although so far, prosecutors have no indicated they will pursue affiliate marketers. WFN was said to have made around $10m from the illegal steroid selling operation.
Others arrested in the case were Edward Jacob Liff, Xzavier Apodaca, Byron Oliver, Erick Vittitow, Bader Alaskari, Bernard Duran, Jonathan Gonzalez.
Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-edny/pr/nine-defendants-arrested-operating-international-steroid-distribution-ring
