I came across an interesting article the other day. I thought I would share it here since the topic of Mexican gear has been recently brought up.
Monday, 01 June 2009
Anabolic Research Update
By William Llewellyn
Biggest Steroid Bust in History, Really?
Q: I just read about the big DEA bust in Mexico. Do you have any idea how this will effect steroid supply in the U.S.? Are all these companies out of business for good?
A: I can only assume you’re talking about “Operation Gear Grinder,” which the DEA is calling the largest steroid bust in history. It targeted eight of the leading veterinary-steroid-producing laboratories in Mexico, their owners and what the DEA is calling their “trafficking associates.” Eight companies have been named in the series of indictments: Tornel, Brovel, Loeffler, Pet’s Pharma, SYD Group, Animal Power, Denkall and Quality Vet (basically all the big “players” in the Mexican scene). Twenty-three defendants have been charged with conspiracy to import anabolic steroids, conspiracy to distribute anabolic steroids, conspiracy to launder money and criminal forfeiture. They each face considerable prison time in the U.S. if convicted.
So far, only five people have been arrested as a result of Gear Grinder. This is due to the fact that they were on U.S. soil at the time the indictments were handed down and the DEA had the authority to take them into custody. The most notable figure of the group appears to be Albert Saltiel-Cohen, the owner of Denkall, Quality Vet, and Animal Power, three of the most prominent steroid producers on the Mexican market. The remaining individuals are believed to still be residing freely in Mexico. Thus far, no extraditions to the U.S. have been granted. Being that steroid sales aren’t regulated in Mexico as they are in the U.S., it’s uncertain if the Mexican government will actually grant extradition for any of the remaining 18 individuals. This makes one question if this indeed will turn out to be the largest bust in history or simply the largest media event.
I’ve made the usual phone calls and have done my best to ascertain the current situation in Mexico. Here’s what I found out: First, I’ve been unable to get in contact with anyone from Saltiel-Cohen’s companies. On the surface, it appears that Denkall, Quality Vet, and Animal Power have ceased production. SYD Group, which continues to operate on the Mexican veterinary drug market, has stated publicly that they won’t be selling any more anabolic steroid products in Mexico and that they are sorry for any misuse of their drugs, which they have no control over (paraphrasing). The remaining four companies, Brovel, Pet’s Pharma, Loeffler and Tornel, are still operating. Most have essentially told me that they don’t sell to the United States and will continue to conduct business legally in Mexico.
It’s a little early to pass judgment, but thus far it looks like the indictments have closed down exactly half of the steroid companies targeted. Will it close the remaining half through extradition of its owners and managers or will the companies remain in business? If the latter happens, I’d expect that the companies in operation would simply pick up the slack left by the loss of their four largest competitors. Supply may shift, but won’t disappear. We’ll have to wait and see what plays out with this one, but for now, the future for Mexican manufacturers doesn’t look as grim as the DEA probably envisioned it would when preparing this operation.
I'd keep away from Mex gear right now guys. I've all ready heard of guys getting fake QV and Brovel.
/V
Monday, 01 June 2009
Anabolic Research Update
By William Llewellyn
Biggest Steroid Bust in History, Really?
Q: I just read about the big DEA bust in Mexico. Do you have any idea how this will effect steroid supply in the U.S.? Are all these companies out of business for good?
A: I can only assume you’re talking about “Operation Gear Grinder,” which the DEA is calling the largest steroid bust in history. It targeted eight of the leading veterinary-steroid-producing laboratories in Mexico, their owners and what the DEA is calling their “trafficking associates.” Eight companies have been named in the series of indictments: Tornel, Brovel, Loeffler, Pet’s Pharma, SYD Group, Animal Power, Denkall and Quality Vet (basically all the big “players” in the Mexican scene). Twenty-three defendants have been charged with conspiracy to import anabolic steroids, conspiracy to distribute anabolic steroids, conspiracy to launder money and criminal forfeiture. They each face considerable prison time in the U.S. if convicted.
So far, only five people have been arrested as a result of Gear Grinder. This is due to the fact that they were on U.S. soil at the time the indictments were handed down and the DEA had the authority to take them into custody. The most notable figure of the group appears to be Albert Saltiel-Cohen, the owner of Denkall, Quality Vet, and Animal Power, three of the most prominent steroid producers on the Mexican market. The remaining individuals are believed to still be residing freely in Mexico. Thus far, no extraditions to the U.S. have been granted. Being that steroid sales aren’t regulated in Mexico as they are in the U.S., it’s uncertain if the Mexican government will actually grant extradition for any of the remaining 18 individuals. This makes one question if this indeed will turn out to be the largest bust in history or simply the largest media event.
I’ve made the usual phone calls and have done my best to ascertain the current situation in Mexico. Here’s what I found out: First, I’ve been unable to get in contact with anyone from Saltiel-Cohen’s companies. On the surface, it appears that Denkall, Quality Vet, and Animal Power have ceased production. SYD Group, which continues to operate on the Mexican veterinary drug market, has stated publicly that they won’t be selling any more anabolic steroid products in Mexico and that they are sorry for any misuse of their drugs, which they have no control over (paraphrasing). The remaining four companies, Brovel, Pet’s Pharma, Loeffler and Tornel, are still operating. Most have essentially told me that they don’t sell to the United States and will continue to conduct business legally in Mexico.
It’s a little early to pass judgment, but thus far it looks like the indictments have closed down exactly half of the steroid companies targeted. Will it close the remaining half through extradition of its owners and managers or will the companies remain in business? If the latter happens, I’d expect that the companies in operation would simply pick up the slack left by the loss of their four largest competitors. Supply may shift, but won’t disappear. We’ll have to wait and see what plays out with this one, but for now, the future for Mexican manufacturers doesn’t look as grim as the DEA probably envisioned it would when preparing this operation.
I'd keep away from Mex gear right now guys. I've all ready heard of guys getting fake QV and Brovel.
/V
