Steroids stopped

JEANERETTE — A Jeanerette man was arrested and his brother-in-law is being sought after detectives seized large quantities of steroids from their residences Wednesday.

Billy Landry, 28, of Jeanerette, was charged with possession of Schedule III narcotics with intent to distribute.

His brother-in-law, Manny Derouen, 28, of New Iberia, is wanted on the same charge.

Iberia Parish Sheriff Sid Hebert said detectives received a tip from U.S. Postal Service inspectors Wednesday that a package of anabolic steroids was being sent from Thailand to Landry’s home in Jeanerette.

He said the drugs were ordered through the Internet and entered the country through the New Orleans Postal Port.

Once the package was delivered to Landry’s home, he was arrested and transported to the IPSO narcotics office. Hebert said detectives learned the steroids were ordered by Landry’s brother-in-law in New Iberia.

During searches at the home of both men, detectives found approximately 6,000 steroid pills and other packages containing liquid testosterone for injection.

All of the steroids were in containers marked “Fishing Pills,” Hebert said.

“(That was) to create a diversion,” Hebert said.

Hebert said the drugs had a street value of $75,000 to $100,000.

Hebert said the bust shows how illegal drugs are increasingly bought and sold over the Internet.

“Traditionally, we see drugs coming in from the Mexican border and Canada,” he said. “Now, there’s a proliferation of drugs coming in from foreign countries, where they may not be illegal.”

Anabolic steroids are listed as Schedule III controlled substances in the Louisiana criminal code.

Steroids are used by athletes and others to build muscle mass, but abuse of steroids can lead to serious side effects, including liver tumors and cancer, jaundice and high blood pressure, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

Landry was on probation for theft of more than $500. He pleaded guilty earlier this year and was given a five-year, suspended sentence, according to court records.

Hebert said the seizure will likely lead to more arrests.

“I don’t think these two arrests will be the last two,” he said.

Hebert asked anyone with information about Derouen’s whereabouts to call the sheriff’s office at 369-3711.