Federal Prosecutions For Trafficking In Steroids and HGH (Human Growth Hormone)
By John Teakell Attorney-At-Law
Dallas, Texas
I. Overview
Drug trafficking and drug possession cases in federal court are cases that involve significant quantities, or very large quantities, of the controlled substance (illegal "drug") that is being investigated and/or seized.
If you or a loved one has been accused of a drug trafficking charge contact federal drug trafficking attorney John Teakell for your 100% free consultation by submitting your information here. If you are only researching the topic, continue below.
The United States Attorney's Office (federal prosecutors) will seek Indictments for "Title 21" violations, that is, illegal drug possession or trafficking activities that are violations of the federal statutes in Title 21 of the United States Code. The U.S. Attorney's Office will seek Indictments charging possession, possession with intent to distribute, trafficking (distributions or sales), and/or a conspiracy to do any of the above. Defendants in federal Indictments are charged pursuant to Title 21, U.S. Code, §841, which alleges drug possession, possession with intent to distribute, or drug trafficking (distribution), and also pursuant to Title 21, U.S. Code, §846, conspiracy.
II. Steroids and HGH
Sales of steroids (anabolic steroids) without a prescription or physician consultation are illegal, and in violation of Title 21, United States Code, §331 and 333. Often, you will find such sales of steroids on "Internet pharmacies" where people can purchase on-line anabolic steroids and other substances.
Prosecutions for illegal possessions and trafficking in human growth hormone (HGH) are conducted under Title 21, U.S. Code, §331 and 333 as well. Federal prosecutions regarding illegal HGH sales or possessions are sometimes alleged in the Indictment as violations for illegally importing HGH into the United States, or knowingly and willfully causing the introduction into interstate commerce unapproved human growth hormones. Similar prosecutions occur in federal court for other prescription drugs, such as Gamma Hydroxybutyrate (GHB), MDMA (Ecstacy) or other substances such as Viagra.
Federal investigations sometimes focus on other violations under Title 21, U.S. Code, §331 and 333, including trafficking in unapproved foreign or expired medications. Pharmacists can be prosecuted for unlicensed wholesale drug distributions under §331, as well as health care fraud under Title 18, U.S. Code, §1347, for such activities.
