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DEA announces steroid bust in Phoenix, nation
Joe Dana, 12 News 6:22 p.m. MST September 1, 2015
The Drug Enforcement Administration Phoenix Division displayed the spoils of a Valley-wide steroid drug bust Tuesday.
The Drug Enforcement Administration Phoenix Division displayed the spoils of a Valley-wide steroid drug bust Tuesday. It was part of a nationwide crackdown called "Operation Cyber Juice" that targeted several levels of the global underground trade of anabolic steroids, resulting in 90 arrests.
"The quest for big muscles can mean big business," said Doug Coleman, Special Agent in Charge of the Phoenix Division. "The illicit use and abuse of steroids is a dangerous game wrought with serious consequences, both physical and legal."
The operation involved over 30 U.S. investigations in 20 states. Agents broke up 16 underground steroid conversion labs. Four of them were located in Arizona.
"We've taken off the streets a source of supply for several thousands of customers, for sure," Coleman said.
One of the alleged labs seized was situated in a non-descript office complex near 19th Avenue and Peoria. Last Friday morning, Phoenix police detectives and federal agents could be seen loading bags of chemical vials and a metal industrial pill press, among other items. About two miles south, DEA agents simultaneously served a warrant at the nutrition and smoothie café inside the LA Fitness gym located at 22nd Avenue and Northern.
PREVIOUS: DEA agents raid Phoenix LA Fitness gym (http://www.12news.com/story/news/local/valley/2015/08/28/phoenix-la-fitness-gym-raided--dea/71318242/)
According to the DEA, Boost-NRG café's owner, 30-year-old amateur bodybuilder William Thorng, is accused of taking part in the steroid black market. However, Coleman said there was no direct evidence showing Thorng sold steroids to customers at the café.
"But I think it's a logical assumption that whenever he had an opportunity to meet people that may be interested in this kind of product I think it's possible that he may be expanding his illegal business in those opportunities," Coleman said.
On Friday, a spokesperson for LA Fitness say Thorng independently operated the cafe.
"We have an agreement with Mr. Thorng which allows him to use a small portion of the club to provide juice bar services. Of course we take this very seriously and are investigating it as well," said a statement.
"Operation Cyber Juice" investigations began targeting Phoenix steroid manufacturing and distribution hubs in early 2014. Investigators tracked shipments of steroid powder from countries including China, Moldova, and Lithuania.
"It really depends on the situation. Sometimes it is a large shipping container. Sometimes it's an individual that would otherwise be individually commercially producing this," said Lon Weigand, Department of Homeland Security Asst. Special Agent in Charge, Division 1.
The DEA Phoenix Division arrested eight suspects in Arizona who are accused of manufacturing the raw materials into pills and liquid form for injection.
According to the DEA, investigators have information on many customers but are still determining whether any should be charged with a crime.
"For the most part, most of our customers are novice body builders who are looking for a way to look better, get bigger muscles," Coleman said. "But in 2000 people I think it's safe to assume there are other people involved. I can't talk too much about who those people might be because the case is still going on."
Joe Dana, 12 News 6:22 p.m. MST September 1, 2015
The Drug Enforcement Administration Phoenix Division displayed the spoils of a Valley-wide steroid drug bust Tuesday.
The Drug Enforcement Administration Phoenix Division displayed the spoils of a Valley-wide steroid drug bust Tuesday. It was part of a nationwide crackdown called "Operation Cyber Juice" that targeted several levels of the global underground trade of anabolic steroids, resulting in 90 arrests.
"The quest for big muscles can mean big business," said Doug Coleman, Special Agent in Charge of the Phoenix Division. "The illicit use and abuse of steroids is a dangerous game wrought with serious consequences, both physical and legal."
The operation involved over 30 U.S. investigations in 20 states. Agents broke up 16 underground steroid conversion labs. Four of them were located in Arizona.
"We've taken off the streets a source of supply for several thousands of customers, for sure," Coleman said.
One of the alleged labs seized was situated in a non-descript office complex near 19th Avenue and Peoria. Last Friday morning, Phoenix police detectives and federal agents could be seen loading bags of chemical vials and a metal industrial pill press, among other items. About two miles south, DEA agents simultaneously served a warrant at the nutrition and smoothie café inside the LA Fitness gym located at 22nd Avenue and Northern.
PREVIOUS: DEA agents raid Phoenix LA Fitness gym (http://www.12news.com/story/news/local/valley/2015/08/28/phoenix-la-fitness-gym-raided--dea/71318242/)
According to the DEA, Boost-NRG café's owner, 30-year-old amateur bodybuilder William Thorng, is accused of taking part in the steroid black market. However, Coleman said there was no direct evidence showing Thorng sold steroids to customers at the café.
"But I think it's a logical assumption that whenever he had an opportunity to meet people that may be interested in this kind of product I think it's possible that he may be expanding his illegal business in those opportunities," Coleman said.
On Friday, a spokesperson for LA Fitness say Thorng independently operated the cafe.
"We have an agreement with Mr. Thorng which allows him to use a small portion of the club to provide juice bar services. Of course we take this very seriously and are investigating it as well," said a statement.
"Operation Cyber Juice" investigations began targeting Phoenix steroid manufacturing and distribution hubs in early 2014. Investigators tracked shipments of steroid powder from countries including China, Moldova, and Lithuania.
"It really depends on the situation. Sometimes it is a large shipping container. Sometimes it's an individual that would otherwise be individually commercially producing this," said Lon Weigand, Department of Homeland Security Asst. Special Agent in Charge, Division 1.
The DEA Phoenix Division arrested eight suspects in Arizona who are accused of manufacturing the raw materials into pills and liquid form for injection.
According to the DEA, investigators have information on many customers but are still determining whether any should be charged with a crime.
"For the most part, most of our customers are novice body builders who are looking for a way to look better, get bigger muscles," Coleman said. "But in 2000 people I think it's safe to assume there are other people involved. I can't talk too much about who those people might be because the case is still going on."
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