Guilty on three charges
April 30, 2014 Halifax, Nova Scotia Canada Border Services Agency
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) announced that Halifax resident Greg Austin Doucette, 38, was sentenced in Halifax Provincial Court on three charges of possessing, smuggling, importing, trafficking and distributing anabolic steroids under the Customs Act and the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA). Doucette was sentenced to a Conditional Sentence Order of 20 months, one-year probation on each charge, and a fine of $50,000 ($12,500 for each CDSA charge and $25,000 for the Customs Act charge). In addition, Doucette must forfeit all materials and cash seized by the CBSA.
The CBSA investigation began in August 2012 when border services officers at the CBSA International Mail Center in Vancouver intercepted several shipments of steroids destined for various addresses in Halifax. CBSA criminal investigators determined that the addresses were linked to Doucette. During a subsequent search of his residence, vehicle and storage locker, CBSA officers seized $23,000 in cash, over $250,000 in steroids and steroid distribution materials, and 56 letter-sized envelopes of raw testosterone powder – enough to make thousands of doses of anabolic steroids.
The CBSA investigation revealed that Doucette was part of a network of individuals in multiple cities across the country, involved in the smuggling, consolidating, production, and distribution of anabolic steroids, which has led to other related investigations across Canada. Doucette admitted to smuggling and trafficking steroids for over a year and a half period.
Quick Facts
- CBSA officers play an essential role in intercepting illegal drugs and preventing contraband from entering Canada.
- Under Health Canada legislation it is an offence to import anabolic steroids, which are a controlled substance under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
- A controlled substance is any type of drug that the federal government has categorized as having a higher-than-average potential for abuse or addiction. Such drugs are divided into categories based on their potential for abuse or addiction. Controlled substances range from illegal street drugs to prescription medications.
- The CBSA welcomes all tips on suspicious cross-border activity. Please call the Border Watch Toll-free Line at 1-888-502-9060.
Quote
“Smuggling and importing illegal drugs into Canada is a criminal offence, and the CBSA takes this issue very seriously. This major seizure is an excellent example of the continuing work done by our officers and investigators to ensure that these kinds of harmful and illegal substances are kept out of Canadian communities.”
- Tom Critchlow, Director of Enforcement and Intelligence, CBSA Atlantic Region
Additional Links
Fact sheet: Criminal Investigations
To Report Border-Related Criminal Activity
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Contacts
CBSA Atlantic Region Communications
902-426-0900
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