posted June 27, 2000 05:44 PM            

Getting the Gear � Part II
Vacaciones en Mexico
by Chris Shugart

In Part I of this series, we discussed some of the most
commonly used methods of finding and obtaining steroids and
other pharmacological products. We explored foreign
pharmacies, message boards and covered the basics of
sending and receiving steroidal contraband.

In Part II we'll explore popular methods of bringing ergogenic
substances into the states from Mexico. It's important to note
that while we're focusing on bodybuilding drugs, these same
importation procedures can be used to obtain hair loss
products, so-called smart drugs, life extension products,
prescription-only products such as Retin-A, and sexual aides
like Viagra. Even some elderly individuals on fixed budgets have
been known to get their medications in this manner.

As we said in Part I, there are no guarantees. The legal risks
are always present. However, using the information contained
herein you can at least minimize your chances of getting
busted.

Assessing the Risks

While it may be legal to purchase physique enhancing drugs in
Mexico, it is not legal to bring them back into the US or any
country where they are classified as a controlled substance.
Let's not sugarcoat this issue: if you bring a little Deca back
from Tijuana, you are smuggling. It is illegal.

That being said, most people busted at the border for what
appears to be a personal supply of bodybuilding drugs are not
arrested. However, you will likely be issued a citation and are
often fined. The fine is often based on the amount of illegal
items in your possession. Your gear is confiscated, of course.

There have been cases where the smuggler is taken into
custody and remains in jail a day or two, but this is rare. It's
also important to remember that the unlawful possession of
steroids is a misdemeanor, but "possession for sale" is a felony.

Ok, I'm here. Where's the gear?

Many bodybuilders claim the tourist traps are the best places
to go for 'roids. In exchange for the wide variety of both
human and veterinary drugs, you can expect to pay more in
these high traffic areas. You'll also run a higher risk of being
ratted out. More on that later.

The following locations are all good places to get your gear:
Acapulco, Tijuana, Puerto Vallarta, Juarez, Cancun and
Cozumel. Smaller or more out of the way areas will probably
work too, but the selection is often more limited and you may
run into a language problem.

Dangers and Dealings with Pharmacists

First off, walking into the local pharmacia and getting steroids
isn't quite as easy as walking into 7-11 for beer and Cheez
Whiz. Often the pharmacist will ask for a prescription. Don't
panic, you can go next door or down the street and have a
doctor whip one up for you for a small fee, usually between
$10 to $30. The real danger here is that some pharmacy
workers act as informants to Customs agents.

In case the pharmacist had provided agents with a
description, it may be wise to change your appearance after
making your purchase. A very cautious smuggler will often
grow some type of facial hair before his trip, buy his gear and
then shave before leaving the country. If you're on a short
day trip into Mexico, it may also be wise to act on the side of
caution and change clothes before you leave.

Another good idea is to park your vehicle well away from the
pharmacy. If an informant is unable to provide a vehicle
description, you're less likely to be stopped and searched.

Veterinarians usually pose less risk; however, it's wise to
purchase less than $300 worth from any one location to avoid
attracting too much attention.

Appearances Should be Deceiving

Whether walking though checkpoints or driving, you must be
aware of your appearance. Shaving and changing clothes
before exiting the country may help, but there are other things
to watch out for. Many federales are trained to watch for the
shaved arms and legs of a bodybuilder. It's probably smart to
grow any shaved hair out before your trip.

It's also a good idea to conceal your physique (assuming
you're big and muscular already). Don't go overboard with a
sweatshirt, but don't wear a tank top or a tight T-shirt either.
Oh, and just in case we have some Olympia contenders here,
you might not want to wear your Gold's Gym T-shirt and a pair
of clown pants. See, Mr. Coleman, that would be bad. You
could get busted and have to help arrest yourself.

Many bodybuilders also get another, less conspicuous person
to walk their gear across the border. Usually, this "mule" is a
wife, gal pal, or skinny friend of the bodybuilder or athlete.
Custom agents have even been alerted to pay close attention
to attractive women traveling alone, especially if a muscular
male is nearby.

Vehicle Crossings: How not to get caught in your coche.

Supposedly, about 1 in 50 vehicles are targeted for secondary
inspection. Two consecutive vehicles are seldom stopped.
Illegal importers often choose a smaller, more conservative
vehicle as larger vehicles may be inspected in an attempt to
catch illegal immigrants. Travelling behind a van or Suburban
type of vehicle may lessen your chance of being inspected.

Besides parking out of visual range of pharmacies and vets,
there are other precautions to take when traveling across the
border in your car. It's been reported that traveling with a
woman is less suspicious than traveling with a group of guys
(especially if you all weigh 250 ripped and are wearing
Testosterone T-shirts with the sleeves torn off.)

It's also a good idea to have your driver's license and/or
passport ready to go as you approach a checkpoint. Claiming a
few souvenir items will also help give the appearance that you
and your mate are just a couple of tourists. (Just remember
that declared souvenir items are often X-rayed or visually
inspected.) It would be wise for all passengers in the car to
have the same story prepared in case they're questioned.

Since steroidal items cannot be detected by dogs, you only
have to hide them from humans. Usually, the first place you
think of to hide contraband is also the first place that will be
searched. Door panels, trunks, spare tires and rims, and
engines are all too common places to hide your gear. We can't
suggest an alternative, however, since that would, in effect,
alert law enforcement to that hiding place as well. Be creative,
but also remember that some bodybuilding substances such as
growth hormone needs to be kept cold.

Whether traveling through customs by foot or by car,
experienced smugglers often choose to cross during very busy
times such as weekends and holidays. Some even time their
crossing to coincide with the end of the border patrol's shift
when agents may be tired and ready to go home. According to
sources, around 9:00 to 10:00 p.m. on a busy day is the best
time to cross.

Note: If you'd rather not bring the items back into the States
by hand, remember that you can always mail your purchases
back home. We won't say this is less risky, instead you simply
have to endure a different set of risks. Using the mail system
was covered in Part I.

A Final Word

In some cases, US authorities may ask your permission to
search your person for "weapons". A nervous and intimidated
person may think, "Well, I'm not carrying a weapon" and
foolishly consent to the search. If bodybuilding drugs are
found, Mr. Affable is often arrested. Instead, deny the
request. If the authorities get pushy, you can always ask
them if you're under arrest. If not, then you have the right to
walk away. You may want to read Brock Strasser's article
titled Attorney for the Defense back in issue 79 for more
details on the legalities of purchasing steroids.

The key here is to educate yourself before you attempt to
purchase any bodybuilding drugs. The rules to obtaining
steroids are the same as using them: Be prepared. Be smart.
But most of all, be careful.

For more detailed information, you may want to check
out newsletters available at anabolics.com. Please note
that Testosterone magazine is not associated in any way
with these sources of information.

The Mail-Order Pharmacy

Just before this article "went to press," I received a
letter in the mail from Medical Clinics of Mexico, Inc.,
otherwise known as "The Mail Order Pharmacy."

In the envelope were two glossy ads for "real"
Testosterone and "real" growth hormone. They require
no doctor's office visits, syringes, blood testing, and a
whole bunch of other services. The office is supposedly
located in Cancun, and they do business by phone or by
Internet. However, the whole thing strikes me as a bit
suspicious, given that the numbers given are clearly US
numbers (including an 800 number).

They also have a website (mexicopharmacy.net)
which says that the drugs are shipped from the
Bahamas instead of Mexico, which makes me even more
suspicious.

In any event, we urge extreme caution when dealing
with companies like this.

posted June 28, 2000 01:07 AM            

Chef