The man that law enforcement officials identified as running a “steroid factory” in his basement has pleaded guilty to to possession with intent to distribute anabolic steroids and unlawful possession of firearms by a convicted felon. He sourced steroids over the Internet using email accounts in the names of gearhustle@cyber-rights.net and gearhustle@safe-mail.net (“Sayreville man admits running steroids lab in his basement,” September 9).
Alfred Scarpa admitted possessing and planning to distribute 40,000 doses of anabolic steroids. He also admitted illegally possessing two .40-caliber handguns in violation of a law prohibiting convicted felons from having guns.
Alfred Scarpa was arrested in a steroid bust during the height of Operation Raw Deal raids by federal agents. DEA agents searched the New Jersey home of electrician Alfred Scarpa on September 20, 2007 after obtaining a search warrant. Agents discovered a fully operational underground steroid lab in “plain view” inside his house, locked in the basement; large quantities of steroid tablets were also discovered in “plain view” hidden inside a cabinet. The so-called “steroid factory” contained equipment used to manufacture anabolic steroids and various bodybuilding drugs according the criminal complaint written by Bryan Lee Travers, a Special Agent with the FBI.
Among other things, pursuant to the Search Warrant, at defendant Alfred Scarpa’s residence, in plain view in the basement, law enforcement observed what appeared to be a substantial, active and ongoing laboratory used for manufacturing of anabolic steroids. In a cabinet, in plain view, there were numerous plastic tubs filled with labeled finished steroid products, as well as a transparent plastic bag filled with approximately 10,000 tablets, which appear to be consistent with the tablets of labeled steroid products seized in the home. In addition, law enforcement observed several large hand pumps which were affixed to large brown glass bottles filled with liquid. In the garage, law enforcement observed a centrifuge, which, based on my training and experience, is used in the manufacturing process of anabolic steroids.
At defendant Alfred Scarpa’s residence, law enforcement seized more than 10,000 milligrams of a compound labeled Clomiphene Citrate, approximately 400 milliliters of a liquid labeled as Boldenone Undecylenate, multiple vials of a liquid labeled as Stanozolol, multiple vials of a liquid labeled as Anadrol, approximately 2000 milliliters of a liquid labeled as Primobolan, approximately 240 milliliters of a liquid labeled as Trenbolone Acetate, multiple vials of a liquid labeled as Testosterone, and multiple vials of a liquid labeled Nandrolone. In addition, there was approximately 1.5 kilograms of raw steroid powders. Each of the above referenced products are Anabolic steroids. In total, law enforcement seized well more than 40,000 dosage units of Anabolic steroids.
Obviously, leaving large quantities of anabolic steroids in “plain view” was careless.
Alfred Scarpa previously was convicted of distributing cocaine in 2000 and ketamine in 2003.
Scarpa will be sentenced on December 16, 2008. He faces up to 5 years in prison on the steroid charge and 10 years in prison on the gun charge. His attorney believes the judge will sentence Scarpa to approximately 8 years.
Scarpa probably wishes he lived in Texas when he manufactured and sold steroids. The David Jacobs steroid distribution network was busted with over 400,000 steroid dosage units and everyone received probation.
About the author
Millard writes about anabolic steroids and performance enhancing drugs and their use and impact in sport and society. He discusses the medical and non-medical uses of anabolic-androgenic steroids while advocating a harm reduction approach to steroid education.
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