SouthShoreNow.ca

Bridgewater man accused of trafficking synthetic hormones

By LISA BROWN

 BRIDGEWATER - Bridgewater Police and the Canadian Border Services Agency have shut down an internet anabolic steroid operation suspected of shipping hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of illegal drugs.

 The bust comes after a 16-month investigation involving activities at a Bridgewater home. Although details only began to emerge late last week, officers actually searched the Elm Street home back in late January. They discovered a lab and seized more than 20 types of anabolic steroids.

 Thirty-eight-year-old Kevin Wayne Tanner now faces a string of allegations relating to the illegal activity. He was initially charged with producing a controlled substance and smuggling or attempting to smuggle a controlled substance into Canada between January 2004 and January 2007.

 Late last week, officers added possession of child pornography and breaching a recognizance to the list. Officers discovered the child porn after seizing Mr. Tanner's computer as part of the drug case. The latter charge alleges that Mr. Tanner had access to a computer after being ordered not to in late January.

 On Tuesday, police added more allegations under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, including importing an illegal substance into Canada, possession of anabolic steroids for the purpose of exporting them from Canada, trafficking in anabolic steroids and possession of anabolic steroids for the purpose of trafficking.

 More charges under the Customs Act were also anticipated.

 Officials allege Mr. Tanner was importing materials and processing them into both liquid injectable form and pills. They seized an estimated $400,000 worth of synthetic hormones in the bust.

 "When they finally did go into his home, they found a complete laboratory," Canadian Border Services Agency spokeswoman Laurie Gillmore said Tuesday. "There were 16 different types of anabolic steroids in liquid form that were in vials, as well as five types of anabolic steroids in pill form. So he was making all of those in his home and then he was selling it across the internet.

 "He also made four different kinds of products to counteract the side effects of taking anabolic steroids," she added.

 The drugs were being shipped to destinations across Canada and the United States.

 Ms Gillmore said the investigation began when customs officers intercepted a courier package about 16 months ago containing a raw form of hormone product shipped from China. The find was referred to the agency's criminal investigations unit, which then began tracking similar packages. Officials say that eventually led them to Mr. Tanner.

 "He was using different courier companies and different assumed names," Ms Gillmore said. "It took awhile because they wanted to really find out how big the operation was."

 Mr. Tanner has been released on conditions and is due back in court March 28.

 Anabolic steroids are used to enhance physical performance and appearance by increasing muscle mass and strength. Estimates indicate that more than a million people in North America use anabolic steroids. Many of them are teenagers.

 According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, about 83,000 youth between the ages of 11 and 18 in this country report using steroids at least once. Most are male, white, middle class and 14 or older. About half use steroids to improve their performance in sports, while the other half use them to alter their physical appearance.

 In Canada, it is not illegal to possess anabolic steroids for personal use, but it is illegal to make, import, export or sell them.

 There are a string of side effects associated with the use of anabolic steroids. Those include everything from severe acne, hair loss and sleep disturbances to hallucinations, depression, impotence, high blood pressure, kidney and liver damage, and increased risk of heart attack or stroke.