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By Danielle Ameden/Daily News staff
Milford Daily News
Posted Jan 07, 2010 @ 12:14 AM
MILFORD ? Police say they helped federal agents intercept $12,000 worth of a hormone drug that was shipped from Hong Kong to Massachusetts.
Authorities seized six packages containing human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), which got through customs because it was hidden in PlayStation video games and accessories, said Detective Jay Ball.
"We thought they were human growth hormones, but they are actually female hormones being sent into the country illegally," Ball said.
The substance hCG is used to stimulate testosterone production, Ball said. It is used to induce ovulation and is sometimes taken by bodybuilders and athletes to counteract some of the effects of steroid use.
"It's a female hormone that balances them out," Ball said.
Former Red Sox player Manny Ramirez was suspended for 50 games last season after he was found to have taken hCG in addition to an unnatural dose of testosterone.
Ball said the bust was the first of its kind for him, and federal agents called it unusual.
Police started working the case around Christmas with a federal Drug Enforcement Administration task force and the U.S. postal inspector's office.
Ball said an alert citizen notified authorities about the shipments.
Authorities are chasing leads, and the case is still under investigation.
Ball would not say where the shipments were headed.
"They were intended for an address" in Massachusetts, he said.
There were 10 vials of the drug in each of the six packages - large yellow envelopes - and each vial is worth $200.
Danielle Ameden can be reached at 508-634-7521 or [email protected].
Milford Daily News
Posted Jan 07, 2010 @ 12:14 AM
MILFORD ? Police say they helped federal agents intercept $12,000 worth of a hormone drug that was shipped from Hong Kong to Massachusetts.
Authorities seized six packages containing human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), which got through customs because it was hidden in PlayStation video games and accessories, said Detective Jay Ball.
"We thought they were human growth hormones, but they are actually female hormones being sent into the country illegally," Ball said.
The substance hCG is used to stimulate testosterone production, Ball said. It is used to induce ovulation and is sometimes taken by bodybuilders and athletes to counteract some of the effects of steroid use.
"It's a female hormone that balances them out," Ball said.
Former Red Sox player Manny Ramirez was suspended for 50 games last season after he was found to have taken hCG in addition to an unnatural dose of testosterone.
Ball said the bust was the first of its kind for him, and federal agents called it unusual.
Police started working the case around Christmas with a federal Drug Enforcement Administration task force and the U.S. postal inspector's office.
Ball said an alert citizen notified authorities about the shipments.
Authorities are chasing leads, and the case is still under investigation.
Ball would not say where the shipments were headed.
"They were intended for an address" in Massachusetts, he said.
There were 10 vials of the drug in each of the six packages - large yellow envelopes - and each vial is worth $200.
Danielle Ameden can be reached at 508-634-7521 or [email protected].
