Today, United States law enforcement officials announced they had busted the biggest illegal steroid ring in history. The operation spanned two years and ten countries - from the manufacturers in China to the traffickers in the United States.
Typically, I think of online marketing in legal terms, but it appears illegal drug trafficking through online marketing is big business. United States law enforcement agents used those online marketing tactics and social networking to bring the people behind them to justice. According to the United States Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), internet chat rooms, "are the catalysts for individuals to learn how to illicitly use, locate and discreetly purchase performance enhancement drugs, including anabolic steroids." Specifically, the DEA focused on internet bodybuilding discussion boards.
Illegal steroids used to enhance athletic performance has been a hot topic lately with star athletes like Floyd Landis, Jason Giambi, Barry Bonds and Chris Benoit making headlines. For example, professional wrestler Chris Benoit committed suicide after murdering his wife and son this year. An autopsy showed he had ten times the normal testosterone level in his body. It's not a secret that steroids are very, very bad for you, but athletes continue to turn to them to gain a competitive edge.
The question of the moment is how will the biggest steroid bust in U.S. history affect professional sports? How many names will come up during the remainder of the investigation? Can professional sports put steroids behind them once and for all? What do you think?
Barry Bonds San Francisco Giants Crowd Photo courtesy of Two Minutes for Blogging.
Who cares? Is this what are tax dollars go toward, meathead steroid gym rats? I guess the DEA has taken care of the heroin, meth, and crack cocaine issues.
Posted by: Jim | September 25, 2007 7:27 AM | Permalink to Comment