Martin Pasmore, a detective inspector with the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, and his team were awarded the Chief Constable’s Certificate of Merit for their investigation and disruption of a major anabolic steroid trafficking network based in the United Kingdom. The Certificate of Merit is awarded to police officers and staff who display excellence in performance.
Pasmore’s team is credited with dismantling a multi-million dollar steroid empire that imported millions of dollars worth of steroids by the van-load from the Czech Republic. The steroids, including testosterone and Deca Durabolin, and human growth hormone (hGH) were sometimes hidden inside children’s LEGO toys. The investigation ultimately led to the conviction and sentencing of Patrick Hyland, who masterminded the large-scale steroid enterprise, and several co-conspirators.
The steroid bust started as a murder investigation looking into the disappearance of Paul Duckenfield. Duckenfield went missing shortly after arriving at Stanfield Airport on an EasyJet flight on September 15, 2008. He was believed to be a steroid dealer catering to bodybuilders and athletes. Duckenfield had appeared on television in investigative episodes about steroids and steroid abuse including a program called “Dying to Look Good” and an edition of “The Cook Report”.
During the course of the investigative, Pasmore’s team operated on the assumption that Duckenfield’s presumed murder was related to his involvement in the steroid trade.
“I believe more than ever that Mr Duckenfield was murdered and that his murder was connected to his involvement with the supply of steroids,” according to Pasmore.
The Duckenfield murder investigation operated in parallel to the Hyland steroid investigation. Hyland was described by a judge as “a major player in the murky world of the supply of steroids” Prosecutors alleged he made millions that enabled him to live a lavish “champagne lifestyle”.
Patrick Hyland was sentenced to four and a half years imprisonment. The Paul Duckenfield murder investigation is ongoing. Duckenfield’s body has not been found.
Source:
Braintree and Witham Times. (October 12, 2011). Braintree: Awards for cops involved in drugs and murder investigation. Retrieved from http://www.braintreeandwithamtimes.co.uk
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