Operation Bulk Up caught more than 30 distributors of steroids

A two-year investigation detected and closed a huge underground laboratory linked with steroids. The investigation was led under name “Operation Bulk Up”. It was a well-organized activity of the proper authorities in Lebanon (Ohio).
As it was found out, a distributor of steroids distributed these medications to members of the Cardio Strength Center of the YMCA. So, when the Warren County Prosecutor’s Office was informed about it, the investigations started. There was a decision to send an officer that had to pretend being a member of the YMCA to the steroid distributor. Major John Burke, the leader of the Warren County Drug Task Force, was chosen for this need.
Mike Caroll, the President and CEO of the YMCA, was the only person at this association that was told about the investigation. He could keep all things he knew about the plans of the Drug Task Force in secret. So, a large-scale organization linked with distribution of steroids was detected.
32 persons were involved in the illegal activity related to distribution of steroids. They were charged with corrupt activities, supplying and possession of steroids. The investigation planned to detect only manufacturers and distributors of steroids. However it didn’t focus on people that purchased these drugs, the officials mentioned that professional athletes and bodybuilders belonged to the customers.
The law enforcement seized 600,000 dollars that were claimed to be a profit from distribution of steroids, 300, 000 dollars in cash and vehicles and 100 weapons.
Mike Caroll, the President and CEO of the YMCA told openly to media about the results of the investigation. He was not afraid to note that he had participated in this activity to catch the criminal organization. Caroll said that he was too happy to find out about the positive results.
It is necessary to notice that it was difficult to detect the criminal organization. The undercover agent had to put efforts to buy steroids from a distributor. As a result of the investigation, an underground lab in Tennessee was detected. It produced steroids in injectable form. The raw was imported from China. The leaders of selling were Ronald Herbort and Matthew Geraci.
According to the undercover agent, face-to-face interactions between distributors and clients were avoided in this organization. There was a specific organized locker system which helped to avoid direct interactions.
Although this activity linked with production and selling of steroids was well-organized, the authorities could detect it to shut the lab. The result of the investigation is an example that confirms following statement: if the authority gives chief priority to such investigations, positive results can be reached.