Experts in substance misuse are highlighting the dangers of anabolic steroids, following the jailing of two men for a total of nearly 8 years earlier this week, who ran a multi million pound criminal enterprise.
Lee Ablitt (50) of Newton-le-Willows, Merseyside and 49-year-old Christopher Thompson of Wigan, Greater Manchester were sentenced to 5 years and 2 years 9 months respectively, having admitted Conspiracy to Supply Class C drugs from 2017 to 2021, and for proceeds of criminal property offences.
The two men used numerous units to store their drugs in North Wales, where they distributed them nationally to their customer base via a popular delivery service.
In October 2021as part of Operation Blue Glory, officers stopped a car being driven from north Wales back to Merseyside by Ablitt on the M56. Inside the vehicle, traffic officers found Class C drugs with a value of just under £60,000.
Following Ablitt’s arrest, NWP detectives searched 7 sites across North Wales and the North West where they discovered Class C drugs with a value of up to £2.1m, as well as a suitcase containing £434,000. In total, £489,000 was seized, and investigations showed the men had laundered several hundred thousand pounds through their bank accounts.
In December 2021, detectives raided the home of Christopher Thompson, where he was found surrounded by packages of steroids, addressed to various addresses nationwide.
Speaking after sentencing, Detective Chris Wynne of the force’s Central Priority Crime Team said: ‘This was a sophisticated operation, which was conducted over a 4 year period.
‘Evidently the conspiracy was so financially lucrative, that they had more drugs than they could physically sell fast enough.
‘This investigation alone involved over 40 different drugs, and more importantly for users of steroids, some samples which were labelled as containing a specific steroid were found to contain different drugs, which highlights the uncertain and dangerous risk of these illicit products.’
Emeritus Professor Jim Mc’Veigh, an expert in Substance Use and Associated Behaviours who works for ChangeGrowLive said: ‘The number of people using anabolic steroids appears to be on the increase.
‘In a recently published study, it was estimated that approximately 500,000 individuals in the United Kingdon had used anabolic steroids in the previous 12 months, spanning all age groups and social demographics.
‘The use of anabolic steroids, together with a range of associated image and performance enhancing drugs, have been linked with a diverse range of physical and psychological harms.
‘Of most significant concern are the potential long term adverse effects including physical conditions such as cardiovascular disease, changes to the cerebral cortex and impaired testosterone production, together with psychological harms such as dependence, depression and aggression.
‘With the vast majority of anabolic steroids, and image and performance enhancing drugs in general being illicitly manufactured, it is not possible for anyone purchasing these substances to know the exact content of what they are using. Drugs may be different to the stated content or dosed at a different strength. With adverse effects often being related to specific active ingredients or dose dependent it is difficult to minimise potential harms.’
Detective Wynne added: ‘In addition, around one in 50 people can be affected by a condition called Body Dysmorphic Disorder, characterised by a deep level of distress around a perceived flaw in appearance, often around the size of muscles.
‘Sufferers will believe that their muscles are not big enough, even though they may look very large to an observer. The anxiety and shame around the perceived lack of muscularity can lead to destructive and compulsive behaviours, one of which can be steroid abuse. I would urge anyone who thinks they may be struggling with this condition to reach out for help and support via the BDD website at https://bddfoundation.org/
‘I welcome today’s sentences, as there is no doubt we have made a major impact in removing a significant risk of harm to our communities. We will continue to make North Wales a hostile environment for those who engage in organised criminality.
‘I feel it is imperative that this investigation is used as a further platform to raise awareness around the harms of steroid use and misuse in the UK.’
