Teenagers Using Social Media to Sell Anabolic Steroids

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Teenagers in Canada are using social networking websites to sell anabolic steroids according to the Royal Canadian Mounted Patrol (RCMP) in Nanaimo.

“It is alleged these persons were involved in the sale and distribution of anabolic steroids throughout western Canada and were advertising on various social networking sites including Hotmail”, said Constable Gary O’Brien, media spokesperson for the Nanaimo RCMP.

While email websites and services such as Hotmail are technically considered “social networking websites”, the terms “social networking” and “social media” have more commonly been used in reference to websites such as Facebook and Twitter. The Nainamo RCMP press release did not include additional details regarding the teenagers’ use of social media to market and distribute steroids.

While the technology used to market and distribute steroids may be new, the actual bust involved an old-fashioned undercover sting. The Nanaimo RCMP arranged the purchase of steroids from nineteen-year old Isaac Harvey Haack in the parking lot of the Mid Island Co-Op. Haack arrived in a black Range Rover accompanied by his 19-year old girlfriend Rachel Irene Krusto.

Police discovered an undisclosed quantity of anabolic steroids in the Range Rover. This resulted in the seizure of the vehicle. The Nanaimo RCMP subsequently obtained a search warrant for home of Haack and Krusto. They seized at least 21 different types of anabolic steroids valued at $6400 along with two laptops and cellphones.

Police arrested Haack and Krusto and charged them both with “Possession of a Controlled Substance (anabolic steroids) for the Purpose of Trafficking under Section 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA)”.

Haack has been a member of the Nanaimo Junior A Timbermen lacrosse team in the British Columbia Junior A Lacrosse League since 2009. The League does not appear to have an anti-doping policy published on its website.