N.Y. Steroid Ring Uncovered
This article is from the archive of The New York Sun before the launch of its new website in 2022. The Sun has neither altered nor updated such articles but will seek to correct any errors, mis-categorizations or other problems introduced during transfer.
The West Coast had BALCO. Now the East Coast could be in the midst of its own steroid scandal.
An illicit steroid distribution network, which may be responsible for Internet sales of performance-enhancing drugs nationwide, has been targeted by an upstate New York prosecutor. Customers reportedly included a Los Angeles Angels outfielder, Gary Matthews Jr., former heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield and former baseball star Jose Canseco.
“We have investigated, and are prosecuting, one of the largest narcotics and steroid distributors in the nation,” a district attorney of Albany County, N.Y., P. David Soares, said in a statement yesterday.
His comments came a day after federal and state agents raided two pharmacies in Orlando, Fla. So far, eight people in three states have been arrested, and prosecutors say 24 could face felony charges by the time their investigation is over.
Former Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher, Jason Grimsley, and a doctor for the Pittsburgh Steelers were reportedly linked to Signature Pharmacy in Orlando, according to the Times Union of Albany, which first disclosed the widespread investigation.
The paper also said Matthews, Canseco, and Holyfield were allegedly on the customer list of Applied Pharmacy Services in Mobile, Ala., whose two owners have been indicted by an Albany County grand jury.
