AAS Court Cases: Defendant Characteristics, Geographical Dispersion, & Substance Origins

[Michael Scally MD]

Denham BE. Anabolic Steroid Cases in United States District Courts (2013–2017): Defendant Characteristics, Geographical Dispersion, and Substance Origins. Contemporary Drug Problems 2018:0091450918800823. SAGE Journals: Your gateway to world-class journal research

This study examined contextual factors associated with 63 anabolic–androgenic steroid (AAS) cases involving 184 defendants in 41 United States District Courts. Information came from press releases distributed electronically by the U.S. Department of Justice across a 5-year period, January 1, 2013, to December 31, 2017.

In addition to the demographic characteristics of defendants and the regions in which cases took place, the study considered the number of defendants per case, the nations from which AAS or raw materials had been imported, the presence of illicit substances beyond AAS, allegations of additional crimes, and whether a case involved public safety personnel.

Courts in the South Atlantic division, and especially courts in Florida, heard the most cases involving the most defendants. Additionally, in 27 of 63 cases, defendants had obtained AAS or raw materials used to manufacture AAS from China; and in 12 of 63 cases, former police officers appeared as defendants.

The study observes that more AAS sellers appear to be purchasing raw powders and liquids in bulk, using “homebrewing” techniques to increase profits and reduce counterfeiting. The relatively large number of cases in Florida may have reflected crackdowns on “pill mills” and the high-profile Biogenesis case.

 

[grey]

$36 to read the whole study.... I have to wonder if the study authors get any of that, doubt it, though I don't know much about the structure of SAGE.

 

[Michael Scally MD]

Denham BE. Anabolic Steroid Cases in United States District Courts (2013–2017): Defendant Characteristics, Geographical Dispersion, and Substance Origins. Contemporary Drug Problems 2018:0091450918800823. SAGE Journals: Your gateway to world-class journal research

This study examined contextual factors associated with 63 anabolic–androgenic steroid (AAS) cases involving 184 defendants in 41 United States District Courts. Information came from press releases distributed electronically by the U.S. Department of Justice across a 5-year period, January 1, 2013, to December 31, 2017.

In addition to the demographic characteristics of defendants and the regions in which cases took place, the study considered the number of defendants per case, the nations from which AAS or raw materials had been imported, the presence of illicit substances beyond AAS, allegations of additional crimes, and whether a case involved public safety personnel.

Courts in the South Atlantic division, and especially courts in Florida, heard the most cases involving the most defendants. Additionally, in 27 of 63 cases, defendants had obtained AAS or raw materials used to manufacture AAS from China; and in 12 of 63 cases, former police officers appeared as defendants.

The study observes that more AAS sellers appear to be purchasing raw powders and liquids in bulk, using “homebrewing” techniques to increase profits and reduce counterfeiting. The relatively large number of cases in Florida may have reflected crackdowns on “pill mills” and the high-profile Biogenesis case.

$36 to read the whole study.... I have to wonder if the study authors get any of that, doubt it, though I don't know much about the structure of SAGE.

Attached ...

 

[Thaistick]

I have to say that the pill mill theory is asinine. These are hugely different. Completely different business plan. Speaking as someone who was close to both. There's been 3 labs busted near me in the past year, as dirty as you can imagine too. Labs literally set up in trailer parks. The UGL scene here is more like the meth lab scene that also exists in the area. In fact a couple of them were making both. They were importing their pseudoephedrine in bulk with the AAS powder.

 

[grey]

@Michael Scally MD Thank you for posting the PDF...

Some days I feel guilty about being paid for the things I write.. after reading that, I feel far less guilty.

I did find the number of busts examined to be lower than most would assume it to be, and am utterly unsurprised by the high level of ancillary recreational drug charges involved.