September 24, 2007

Nassau DA, DEA Announce Results of Steroid Probe  

Rice:  $13M in steroids seized, half-dozen arrested on Long Island for dealing over the Internet

MINEOLA – Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice, the United States Drug Enforcement Agency and the United States Department of Justice announced Monday the results of an international investigation into the manufacturing and distribution of anabolic steroids.  The investigation is the largest steroid investigation in DEA history and has resulted in the arrest of two separate Nassau County-based distribution rings that are believed to be the main suppliers of steroids on Long Island.

In addition to the seven arrests, authorities have seized more than 450 kilograms of steroids, steroid manufacturing paraphernalia, handguns and shotguns, and labeling equipment used by the two separate Internet drug rings.  During the investigation, authorities uncovered evidence suggesting that the steroids seized were coming to Long Island from China.  The groups used password-protected Web sites to deal the drugs to locations throughout Long Island and New York, in addition to Tennessee, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania and Florida.

Rice said that the steroids seized have a street value of more than $13 million dollars and represent nearly 2.5 million doses of the drug. Rice also said that while the defendants currently under arrest are facing state charges brought by her office, there is a high probability that the United States Department of Justice will file federal charges and handle the cases in accordance with federal drug laws.

Steroids are not just a problem in professional sports, they’re a problem in our neighborhood gyms and in the high school locker rooms in our community,” said Rice.  “These are dangerous drugs with lasting, long-term effects that our children don’t understand, especially when they see many of their heroes, professional athletes, admitting to using.”

Ring 1 (Arrested July 23, 2007)

Authorities seized more than 1.1 million dosage units of steroids from seven Long Island locations connected to this ring.  The street value of the product seized is thought to be in excess of $6.5 million dollars.

Carlos Cuevas, 36, of Hempstead.  Mr. Cuevas has been charged with ten counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Fifth Degree, one count in the Seventh Degree, and one count of Criminal Possession of Marijuana.  He is due back in court November 5 and is being represented by Ben Gullo, Esq.

Shawn Armstrong, 37, of Westbury.  Mr. Armstrong has been charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Fifth Degree, and Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Fifth Degree.  He is due back in court October 10 and is being represented by Paul Delle, Esq.

James Yoon, 33, of Westbury.  Mr. Yoon has been charged with Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Fifth Degree and three counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Fifth Degree.  He is due back in court October 2 and is being represented by the Legal Aid Society.

Ring 2 (Arrested September 12, 2007)

Authorities seized more than 1.25 million dosage units of steroids from three Long Island locations connected to this ring.  The street value of the product seized is thought to be in excess of $7 million dollars.

Christopher Lance, 36, of Melville.  Mr. Lance has been charged with five counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Fifth Degree.  He is due back in court December 5 and is being represented by Joseph Ferri, Esq.

Debra Rosenbach, 33, also of Melville and the wife of Mr. Lance.  Ms. Rosenbach has been charged with three counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Fifth Degree.  She is due back in court December 5 and is being represented by Joseph Ferri, Esq.

Karen Lance, 55, also of Melville and mother of Mr. Lance.  Ms. Lance has been charged with two counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Fifth Degree.  She is due back in court December 5 and is being represented by Joseph Ferri, Esq.

Romolo Squittieri, 25, of West Babylon.  Mr. Squittieri has been charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Fifth Degree.  He is due back in court October 19 and is being represented by Jan Goldman, Esq.

Under their current state charges, each of the seven defendants are facing maximum of 2 ½ years in prison if convicted.

The charges against the defendants are accusations and they are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.