Stockton man sentenced to 16 months in prison after failed steroid smuggling attempt

8 Sep 2006 10:15 AM

Stockton man sentenced to 16 months in prison after failed steroid smuggling attempt

A 40 year-old man from Stockton on Tees in Cleveland was yesterday (7 September 2006) sentenced to 16 months at Leeds Crown Court after attempting to smuggle nearly £19,000 worth of steroids, containing controlled Class C drugs, through Leeds Bradford Airport.

Mumtaz Hussain Naqvi from Talbot Street in Stockton was stopped by Customs officers at Leeds Bradford Airport on 15 February 2005, after returning from Thailand via Amsterdam. Naqvi, who was travelling on his own, was stopped by Customs officers after trying to go through the 'Nothing to Declare' channel and was questioned with regards to the contents of his suitcase.

Although Naqvi denied that his case contained anything illegal, officers found nearly 143,000 steroid tablets hidden inside his personal belongings. This included 86 tubs of Danabol, each containing 500 tablets, 218 tubs of Stanzol, each containing 200 tablets and 63 tubs of Androlic, containing 100 tablets. Customs officers seized the tablets and after sending them for forensic testing found that they contained Class C controlled drugs including methandienone, oxymetholone and stanozolol.

Naqvi was arrested and interviewed under caution where he claimed to have bought the drugs in Thailand for around £70, that all were for his own use, and that he was planning to take 400 tablets a day to help build up his body without weight training.

He was later charged with three charges under section 170(2) of the Customs & Excise Management Act 1979 of being knowingly concerned in the fraudulent evasion of the prohibition on importation of class C drugs, namely Methandienone, Oxymetholone and Stanozolol. Naqvi appeared before Leeds Crown Court on 25 May 2006 where he pleaded guilty to all three charges.

HH Judge Marsden sentenced Naqvi yesterday (7 September 2006) at Leeds Crown Court to 16 months in prison .

David Odd, HMRC Head of Investigation comments on the case: "The importation of illegal drugs is a serious criminal offence and officers within HM Revenue & Customs are committed to catching and prosecuting people who attempt to bring these dangerous drugs back into the UK. Anabolic steroids are Class C drugs to be sold only by pharmacists with a doctor's prescription. Whilst it is legal to possess or import a small quantity of steroids for personal use, possession or importing with intent to supply is illegal.

"The huge quantity of drugs imported by Naqvi can in no way be seen as reasonable. We hope today's result sends out a clear message to anyone bringing this type of product into the UK. If passengers are in any doubt about what they are allowed to bring back from a trip abroad they can contact our helpline on 0845 010 9000 (+44 208 929 0152 outside UK) or visit our website www.hmrc.gov.uk.

The case was successfully prosecuted by the Revenue & Customs Prosecutions Office (RCPO). RCPO is an independent prosecuting authority that reports to the Attorney General and is responsible for the prosecution of all HMRC cases in England and Wales.

Notes to Editors:

1. Personal Details

Mumtaz Hussain Naqvi
DoB: 10/08/67
Address: 30 Talbot Street,
Stockton on Tees,
Cleveland
S20 2XB
Occupation: Unemployed electrician

2. The Revenue & Customs Prosecutions Office (RCPO) was created by Royal Assent on 7 April 2005. RCPO is responsible for prosecuting some of the largest drug and fraud cases in the UK.

3. Information on Steroids

Anabolic steroids are similar to and include the male hormone testosterone. They're meant to be used to treat anaemia and muscle weakness after surgery.

Reported Side effects:

* Normally calm people can become aggressive or even violent.

* If you're young, abuse of anabolic steroids can stop you growing properly.

* Injecting any drug can cause vein damage, ulcers and gangrene. Dirty or shared needles and other injecting works can help the spread of HIV and hepatitis.

* If you're male, you can get erection problems, grow breasts, become sterile and develop acne. It can also make your testicles shrink. Quite a big price to pay for impressive muscles.

* If you're female, you can get extra facial hair, a deep voice, shrinking breasts and an increased risk of menstrual problems.

* You could experience dramatic mood swings and ultimately long-term depression.

* You may find that you start getting paranoid, confused and have trouble sleeping.

* Steroids can also give you high blood pressure and increase your risk of liver failure, stroke or heart attack

Information from Department of Health's 'talk to FRANK' campaign.

Methandienone is an orally taken steroid with a high effect on the protein metabolism. It has a very strong anabolic and androgenic effect giving a build up of strength and muscle mass in its users. Methandienone has a number of dangerous side effects and in the most serious cases causes a considerable strain on the liver and high dosages or use of over a longer period of time, is liver-toxic. Even a dosage of only 10 mg/day can increase the liver values to a toxic level.

Oxymetholone is a synthetic male hormone (anabolic steroid) used to treat a low red blood cell count (anaemia). It works by increasing the amount of the hormone involved in the production of red blood cells. Due to the risk of serious, possibly life-threatening side effects, this medication must not be used to improve athletic performance or physical appearance. Oxymetholone does not enhance athletic ability. It has a long and serious list of side effects including mental/mood changes, trouble breathing, hair loss and problems with urination.

Stanozolol is a synthetic anabolic steroid derived from testosterone. It is used in the treatment of hereditary angioedema, which causes episodes of swelling of the face, extremities, genitals, bowel wall, and throat. It has a number of side effects and in rare cases, serious and even fatal cases of liver problems have developed during treatment with stanozolol. It is the third most abused substance among athletes and is currently banned from use in sports competition by the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF).

Issued by HM Revenue & Customs Press Office
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