Three fitness club members were recently jailed due to their participation in an illegal steroid and growth hormone importation in the Far East.

All three were recruited by others from the Darlington gym. They were recruited to transfer money to China and Thailand to buy drugs.

David Newcombe was involved for three years and was able to transfer a total of £122,000. David Fletcher worked for 18 months, made 60 transactions and transferred a total of £191,000. Kevin Lewis, on the other hand, worked for 13 months, made 19 transfers totaling to £56,000.

Based on the reports from Teesside Crown Court, the trio were paid £50 every transaction and received a bottle of whisky for money transferring money, usually amounting to £3,000 to £4,000.

The three pleaded guilty before Judge George Moorhouse, to transfer of criminal property, knowing that the money came from sales of the products by plot leaders.

Fletcher received three years imprisonment, Newcombe received 18 months imprisonment and Lewis received nine months. Of the three Lewis played a minor role while Fletcher was found to possess 10 boxes of growth hormones in his home.

Under UK law, import and purchase of steroids and other performance enhancement drugs is legal but the selling and distribution in the UK is illegal.

From The Northern Echo:

THREE fitness club members have been jailed for their role in a huge plot to import steroids and growth hormones from the Far East.