The Intermunicipal Police of Thérèse-De Blainville publicly announced the completion of its investigation into the distribution of Syrus Labs, a major Canadian underground lab (UGL) specializing in anabolic steroids. The announcement comes over five months after the steroid bust presumably to allow time for the laboratory at INRS-Institut Armand-Frappier to perform chemical analysis on the seized drugs.
Frédéric Vigeant was arrested and faces multiple charges related to the production, counterfeiting and possession of anabolic steroids and controlled substances for the purpose of trafficking, and a charge related to illegal firearms possession (“Pharmacie clandestine démantelée,” December 10).
Frédéric Vigeant was busted on July 25, 2008 when police responded to a domestic disturbance at the home of Frédéric Vigeant in an affluent neighborhood in Sainte-Thérèse, a suburb north of Montreal, during which they observed significant quantities of tablets and a couple of cannabis plants in plainview. Acting on this information, law enforcement obtained a search warrant and searched and seized substantial quantities of anabolic steroids and ancillary drugs labelled under the Syrus Labs brand as well as recreational drugs (marijuana and amphetamines) stored in the basement of the residence (“Les policiers de Sainte-Thérèse réalisent une saisie majeure d’anabolisants,” December 10).
It is a stroke of luck that led police to discover this: last July, they were called to intervene during a domestic dispute at the opulent residence of the suspect to St. Therese. It is presenting itself on the spot that patrol found the presence of marijuana plants and an abnormal quantity of pills.
Back with a search warrant, they discovered a quantity of drugs higher, in the words of one investigator, that normally found in a pharmacy.
The case has been released five months later to allow experts from Health Canada to analyze the products.
Inspector Francis Lanouette, the head of criminal investigations for Intermunicipal Police of Thérèse-De Blainville, asserted that anabolic steroids were primarily used by young athletes. As such, the steroid law enforcement action was morally justified as a means to “save the children” from steroids.
“These are mostly drugs that are used by young athletes, not necessarily by professional athletes, but many young people will learn about such drugs to boost their performance,”
Inspector Lanouette expressed the importance of saving youth from steroids as a priority of the police department. The Syrus Labs steroid bust was heralded as a major intervention at keeping steroids away from young people (“Importante saisie d’anabolisants et autres drogues contrôlées,” December 10).
“Youth intervention is at the heart of our priorities, we are very pleased to have withdrawn these controlled drugs and anabolic steroids from the market before they may find themselves in the hands of young people living in our land. In addition to doping, the seizure helps the maintenance of security of our citizens and young people in sports arenas, parks and schools in our region.”
Christiane Ayotte, Professor and Director of the Doping Control Laboratory at INRS-Institut Armand-Frappier, appeared at the press conference to reiterate Inspector Francis Lanouette’s message about the importance of saving the children from the dangers of steroids. Dr. Ayotte asserted that children and spouses of steroid users are the most likely victims of steroid-induced aggressiveness and violence (“Les policiers de Sainte-Thérèse réalisent une saisie majeure d’anabolisants,” December 10).
The Dr. Ayotte pointed out that these drugs have harmful side effects on the heart and liver, especially, but also significant psychological side effects, including a heightened aggressiveness with a difficulty controlling his anger.
Those most at risk, in his opinion, are in fact members of the entourage of a consumer of anabolic steroids, especially spouses and children, who are often victims of violence.
The black market value of the seized steroids and controlled substances was reported as $4.3 million wholesale value and approximate $11.5 million dollar retail value which was clearly exaggerated. The anabolic steroids, bodybuilding drugs and recreational drugs seized in the bust included the following:
- 413,149 tablets including anabolic steroids, anti-estrogens (Nolvadex), PDE5 inhibitors (Viagra and Cialis), fertility drugs (Clomid) as well as methamphetamine;
- 235 vials of injectable steroids including nandrolone, methenolone, boldenone, drostanolone;
- 2 kilograms of various raw powders;
- 360 cannabis cuttings;
- 233 grams bulk cannabis;
- 4 mature cannabis plants;
- 3 liters of unprocessed liquid drug precursors
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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