Venom: The New Steroids?

[OldGHGuy]

Federal Authorities Seize Performance-Enhancing Drugs Bound For Unnamed Horse Racing Insiders

 

[grey]

 

[OldGHGuy]

Not sure what you mean?

 

[Millard]

Cobra, Scorpion, Spider Venom and other Illicit Horse Performance Enhancers Seized by Cincinnati CBP​

Release Date
Wed, 05/01/2024

CINCINNATI–Since January 1, 2024, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Port of Cincinnati have seized eight shipments containing equine performance enhancing drugs. The packages arrived from Mexico and were destined to multiple individuals throughout the U.S., some with nexus to racing or other horse performance venues.



CBP worked with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) to locate the eight shipments, which included injectables labelled as cobra venom, Spidermorph, Scorpioadrenalin, unapproved medications such as TB-1000, caffeine, anabolic steroids, unknown vitamin compounds, Ritalin, and ketamine.

“Kentucky is known as the horse capital of the world,” said Cincinnati Port Director Alrick Brooks, “and the equine industry is a prominent part of the U.S. agricultural economy. CBP is committed to protecting this industry and the animals within it by preventing illicit substances such as these—designed to mask pain or artificially enhance an animal’s legitimate physical capabilities—from coming into the country.”

Some of the medications were made using protected animal species, leading to wildlife trafficking and conservation concerns. “The FWS inspectors at the Port of Cincinnati, in partnership with CBP, continue to produce excellent results in impacting the illegal wildlife trade,” said Louisville Supervisory Wildlife Inspector Denise Larison. “Wildlife trafficking remains a significant threat to thousands of animal and plant species around globe. Thanks to this great partnership, we were once again able to prevent the unlawful import of protected species and disrupt the illegal market for these valuable animals.”

CBP seized the shipments at the request of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) given the medications were not in compliance with the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, and were in violation of multiple FDA regulations.

“The FDA is always concerned about the illegal importation of injectable, unapproved medications which may pose a significant risk to public health, and can include drugs for animals.” said Assistant Commissioner for Import Operations Dan Solis. “This shows working collaboratively with CBP and other federal partners helps prevent potentially dangerous medical products from entering the U.S.”

The abuse of snake venom and other performance enhancers within the equine industry has been the subject of previous federal investigations and indictments leading to sentences from the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

“CBP is entrusted with enforcing hundreds of laws for more than 40 other government agencies,” said Chicago Director of Field Operations LaFonda D. Sutton-Burke. “We are delighted to work with our counterparts within the FDA and FWS to ensure these illicit and dangerous drugs can no longer be used for nefarious purposes.”

CBP conducts operations at ports of entry and export throughout the United States, and regularly screens inbound and outbound international passengers and cargo for narcotics, weapons, and other restricted or prohibited products. CBP strives to serve as the premier law enforcement agency enhancing the nation’s safety, security, and prosperity through collaboration, innovation, and integration.

Source: Cobra, Scorpion, Spider Venom and other Illicit Horse Performance Enhancers Seized by Cincinnati CBP

 

[Millard]

I didn't know about the use of snake venom, etc in horseracing. Apparently, it's been going on for a long time. This is apparently why it is used:

"One trainer's wife confirmed that the venom has worked for one of their steeplechasers.

Cheeka had lost 34 races in a row before winning two in succession after being given a daily dose of the snake poison powder mixed in his feed. Janet Smith, wife of trainer Charlie, who trains Cheeka at Wellingore in Lincolnshire, said: 'In Cheeka's case the treatment worked. The horse has tons of ability, and jumps really well.

'But he suffered from breaking blood vessels and this stopped him from showing his true ability. We tried all sorts of things from vets but nothing worked. Then Charles heard a whisper that rattlesnake poison would do the trick.

'We thought it was a leg-pull at first, but we were desperate to try anything, provided we didn't break the rules. Once we got it, we kept going back for more. It comes to us in powder form and we mix it in his feed every day. We consider it cheap at £15 a month.'

Cheeka, an 11-year-old chestnut, stunned Southwell racegoers two years ago when cruising home by four lengths at 16-1 for his first win. He then completed his double with a 10-length victory at Market Rasen three weeks later.

One company importing snake venom is Weleda at Ilkeston in Derbyshire. Company spokesman Roger Barsby said: 'We obtain it from the States. Rattlesnakes are deliberately harvested and the venom is then milked from sacs at the base of the fangs. It comes to us in tablet and powder form. It is rattlesnake venom which has been diluted. It is used a lot.'

Once packaged, the venom is delivered to pharmacist Shyan Udani, at Wavertree near Liverpool, who sends it on to trainers. He said: 'I've been supplying it for some time and I actually manufactured it at one stage. We know it as Crodalus Horridus and the demand keeps going up. It's all very hush-hush. I cannot name my clients.'

Equine veterinary expert Colin Vogel, of Fakenham, said: 'Snake venom thins the blood which enables it to circulate efficiently and quickly through the lungs and reduces the chances of the wall collapsing. Blood going through a horse's lungs gets thicker when it's competing in a race or being strenuously worked at exercise, and the wall can give way.

'Not every trainer wants to admit that he is using snake poison because a horse's value falls when it becomes known that it bleeds. Sometimes a horse will bleed at home which enables the trainer to take remedial action without anyone getting to know about it.'"

Source: Racing: Trainers turn to rattlesnake poison | Sport | The Observer

 

[MuayThayson]

The tiger blood looks tempting.

 

[Ghoul]

Obviously tipped off since Fish & Wildlife was there to "locate the shipments". That's what happens when you don't grease palms in Mexico.

 

[OldGHGuy]

Back in the day, much of the undergroud AAS trade centered around horses and horse racing - at least around my town. Veterinary EQ and Winstrol (inj) were common as well as B-12 and adrenaline