More on SVN Canada bust...

[Sean Summers]

http://www.bclocalnews.com/news/39174879.html

North Van shop owner pleads guilty to illegal steroid sales

By Sam Cooper - North Shore Outlook

Published: February 05, 2009 5:00 PM
Updated: February 06, 2009 3:53 PM

A North Vancouver sports nutrition shop owner has pled guilty to selling an illegal bodybuilding drug stashed in the back of his Lower Lonsdale area-store, following an undercover RCMP sting spurred by a tip that the shop, SVN Canada, was allegedly selling steroids to "kids."

Joao Melo, 28, pled guilty in North Vancouver provincial court on Thursday to the first of 14 counts, for selling Androstenediol, a steroid-like drug, to undercover officers on August 23, 2007.

Crown counsel Jay Straith told judge Carol Baird Ellan that undercover RCMP officers attended SVN Canada in August 2007 and talked to Melo about purchasing drugs "that were not on the shelves, but kept in the back."

"There was an acknowledgment (to officers that the drugs) were illegal" and carried "serious health concerns," Straith alleged.

Melo stood behind defence counsel as the guilty plea was entered, notable for his bodybuilder's stature, with massive shoulders and thighs, dressed neatly in gray slacks and a tan coat, with shaved head.

Straith said he does not believe all 14 charges gathered by the RCMP in its operation need be pursued, and he proposed consolidating charges at Melo's sentencing, in April.

Straith said the maximum sentence for trafficking in Androstenediol, classified a Schedule IV drug, is three years in prison.

Melo and co-accused Sylvie Tran, 26, were busted in October 2008 following a year-long investigation. It's unclear whether Tran's charges will be stayed or pursued.

RCMP Const. Marlene Morton said "a substantial amount" of bodybuilding drug Methyl-1-Testosterone was seized from SVN Canada.

"We got an anonymous tip that they were selling this stuff to teenagers," along with other customers, Morton said. Morton said the drug, also known as M1T, is a steroid derivative, with all the negative side-effects of a "standard steroid."

Following his guilty plea, Melo declined to comment on his case.

A spokesperson from the B.C. Pharmacy Association said Androstenediol and M1T are both anabolic steroids, with "absolutely" harmful effects.


SS

[#8]

wow.

3 years in prison max? are you kidding me? such a joke. RCMP really need to find better things to do, its pathetic.

[Namelessone]

He won't get 3 years. I'm willing to bet because he plead guilty and saved everyone time and money he will get 1 year tops. Possibly even house arrest and probation.

[andymc]

i think theres some good to shutting these places down.
Because its true, they're selling these drugs to kids, Ive seen it with my own eyes. these kids dont know anything about m1t, they're just told its the easiest way to get jacked. That product definitely needs to be taken off the shelves of these stores.

[ubcpower]

I agree, i know 15-16 year olds who are using M1t at the local gym and stated they bought it at supplement shops. If you are dumb enough to sell it to children than you should be punished. Howver, it is unfortunate the man power and tax $ that go into these cases.

[champcar99]

wow.

3 years in prison max? are you kidding me? such a joke. RCMP really need to find better things to do, its pathetic.

no chance he gets 3 years ....probation , fine and house arrest is the worst case senario as long as he isn't a "known to police" kinda guy he will never see the inside of a jail other than the day of the arrest..

[nitrous]

i agree i think its retarded that they would even say he could potentially get 3 years.. i dont think that is even close to deserving 3 years unless he was selling huge amounts.. at the max i personally think the law should be changed to 2 years probation and house arrest and community service and a fine... im sure that is all he will get but still that would suck but yeah like you guys said they sell m1t to kids and they dont even try to explain that much about it

still annoys me they say he could get 3 years

[Bowlcut]

My buddy told me a guy was just sprayed with bullets outside some mall in the lower mainland over rec drugs. Seems like the RCMP handling the SVN case should be trying to get the real crooks.

[nitrous]

My buddy told me a guy was just sprayed with bullets outside some mall in the lower mainland over rec drugs. Seems like the RCMP handling the SVN case should be trying to get the real crooks.

yep happened on friday.. also 4 other shootings last week alone in one city that were all related to that

[gustavo77]

Selling M1T to kids....hmm, gotta say i hope the guy gets the max. Sorry but i am heavily against selling gear to kids and M1T is so ****ing toxic and suppressive. All it takes it one stupid 16 year old who wants to be huge, takes 40-50mg of that shit per day and ****s himself up for life.

[JonnyO]

My buddy told me a guy was just sprayed with bullets outside some mall in the lower mainland over rec drugs. Seems like the RCMP handling the SVN case should be trying to get the real crooks.

Just down the road from me too. I know some involved and its all bloody drug/gang related. Sprayed in broad daylight at an IGA shopping store. Ruthless!!!

[gordi]

I've shopped at that SVN, and the guys there are always really good about discussing various supps, they never gave me even a tiny little hint of that "just buy something and get outta here" vibe. They seemed really knowledgeable, they weren't trying to push any brand or any kind of crap, and they are definitely lifters themselves. I'm really pretty surprised and kinda sad to hear that they were selling M1T to kids. That seemed like a place where the staff definitely knew their stuff.

[hellfish]

Melo and co-accused Sylvie Tran, 26, were busted in October 2008 following a year-long investigation. It's unclear whether Tran's charges will be stayed or pursued.

I'm so glad it only took a years worth of tax dollars to get this historical bust accomplished.

[Born2Juice4Ever]

I'm so glad it only took a years worth of tax dollars to get this historical bust accomplished.

I heard you loud and clear.


Parliament gets shut down in the middle of an internal crisis.....Postal strike, public transit strike---that left millions of dollars in damage...and our 60-80K yearly paid RCMP officers target a fly on the wall hu? great to see that the 21% tax money I pay out monthly is put to good use.\



Shoot me now, I have lived and seen it ALL.


B2J

[monstermax]

I would just like to say the RCMP in north van are a bunch of LOSERS! There overkill out there! They have nothing better to do with their time!

[BigDane]

Quit crying about the cop work. They got a complaint and are obligated to act on it. When the public/parent calls in complaining her son bought illegal drugs from a health food store.. What do you think is going to happen? They HAVE to act on it.

Its not like they got up in the morning and said lets go bust some SVN stores today. Someone blew the whistle on the stores. They shouldn't have sold that M1T shit to young guys anyways, it has worse side effects then most standard AAS.


I agree. Its not really just the selling of the M1's. But selling them to impressionable minors who are incapable of making their own smart decisions. Thats pretty stupid.

If I had a 15-16 year old kid and found out some store was selling this junk to them I'd be pretty choked too.

The cops got told about it and had to act.

A year long sting operation over M1's is a whole nother story though.

A bit ridiculous IMO. Especially when we have homicides going on on a weekly basis all over the city.

[ubcpower]

I agree. Its not really just the selling of the M1's. But selling them to impressionable minors who are incapable of making their own smart decisions. Thats pretty stupid.

If I had a 15-16 year old kid and found out some store was selling this junk to them I'd be pretty choked too.

The cops got told about it and had to act.

A year long sting operation over M1's is a whole nother story though.

A bit ridiculous IMO. Especially when we have homicides going on on a weekly basis all over the city.

Daily basis as of late

[Bowlcut]

It doesn't take much effort for an 18 year old to Google "M1T side effects" or something along the lines.

Who knows if he sold them to the kids, but if I was a parent if my kid bought weed I wouldn't blame the dealer but the kid.

[jmaker]

I dunno bowlcut. I got two kids of my own, and I'm a strong believer in holding my kids accountable for there mistakes. I don't subscribe to the whole "my teachers just a jerk" or "It was Joey from down the streets idea." But if someone was selling my kids illegal drugs, I'd be interested in having a conversation with the person who sold it to them. And btw, my kids would be grounded for life LOL.

[macka]

As a parent, and a former kid myself, I plan to educate my kids. I know I can't hover over them and influence their every decision, but they will learn to take responsibility for their own actions. They also will know they can approach me on anything, and we can talk before they **** up their lives.

[srt8]

Pretty sure im going to be the most hipocritical father to ever live lol.

[BigDane]

Daily basis as of late


True that.

Its getting f'n ridiculous.

[BIGDADDY69]

M1T is everywhere

[Bowlcut]

I dunno bowlcut. I got two kids of my own, and I'm a strong believer in holding my kids accountable for there mistakes. I don't subscribe to the whole "my teachers just a jerk" or "It was Joey from down the streets idea." But if someone was selling my kids illegal drugs, I'd be interested in having a conversation with the person who sold it to them. And btw, my kids would be grounded for life LOL.

Obviously you would be mad as hell if somebody sold your kid drugs, but at the ages of of 16-18, though not quite an adult, most kids know the difference between right and wrong.

You are right about opening up some whoop ass on the person, but sometimes parents refuse to think their little angel could do anything wrong by choice and chose to blame others.

[Benny62]

Nice ....my home town made the press! That shop is only blocks from where I grew up.....awsome!

[Beachmuscle]

If someone sold drugs to my children they would wish they were never born. Meth, M1T, I don't care.

[gicantor]

Or maybe as a parent you could bare some responsibility if your kid is a drug-addict.. How's that sound?

Half the problem with the parental community is they blame the drug dealers for their children's meth or crack addictions, and bare no responsibility themself. Drug dealers are everywhere - If your kid wants to smoke rock, he'll find a way to smoke rock.

Yet somehow the parents all of a sudden want to play a crucial role in their child's life when it comes to threatening or beating up the local dealer.. Get a ****ing grip, and maybe reassess the bogus job you did raising your child..

+1 for this^^^

It seems like everyone is always trying to pass the blame. Nobody can man the **** up anymore and take responsibility.

[champcar99]

Or maybe as a parent you could bare some responsibility if your kid is a drug-addict.. How's that sound?

Half the problem with the parental community is they blame the drug dealers for their children's meth or crack addictions, and bare no responsibility themself. Drug dealers are everywhere - If your kid wants to smoke rock, he'll find a way to smoke rock.

Yet somehow the parents all of a sudden want to play a crucial role in their child's life when it comes to threatening or beating up the local dealer.. Get a ****ing grip, and maybe reassess the bogus job you did raising your child..

on this note.. A friend of mine who's family is very well off have 4 kids...2 of the daughters have become prostitutes..hooked on crack and are junkie's also one of the son's doesn't do drugs but has a gambling habit. he ripped his dads company off around 50,000 spent it all on gambling.. The other son was a highschool buddy of mine has been addicted to everything you can imagine now has AIDS..while one of the daughter's was selling herself on the streets no further that a couple miles from where the family lives MOM and DAD decide it's the right time to go on a vacation to europe knowing that their daughter is selling herself for crack ... they also take their son who ripped them off 50 g's for gambling to vegas for a gambling vacation...fathers a drunk the mother I think is a pill popper but they never blame themselfs and always blame it on their friends...the daughters forged checks, stole their dads laptops,, stole tools from their dads work shop at home that is bigger than most people's houses ..dad had to go to the local pawnshops to buy them back he didnt want to get poilce involved , he didnt want them charged...one time he had to buy back his laptop from the local rock dealer....just fuked up.. they blame everyone else but themselfs....

[Beachmuscle]

Or maybe as a parent you could bare some responsibility if your kid is a drug-addict.. How's that sound?

Half the problem with the parental community is they blame the drug dealers for their children's meth or crack addictions, and bare no responsibility themself. Drug dealers are everywhere - If your kid wants to smoke rock, he'll find a way to smoke rock.

Yet somehow the parents all of a sudden want to play a crucial role in their child's life when it comes to threatening or beating up the local dealer.. Get a ****ing grip, and maybe reassess the bogus job you did raising your child..

Thanks for attacking me flexy, obviousely you don't have children.

My daughter is 2 years ahead in her development. No tv allowed, only books. Constant physical activities, sports, crafts, books, etc. I don't ignore her for my projects or to watch reality tv. I play a crucial role, no junk food in the house. I take my responsibility seriousely. "Bogus job raising my child" OH REALLY! Maybe someone did a bogus job raising you!

Even model parents have kids that get addicted to drugs.

I raise my child well, watch who they hang out with, but as we all know we can't ball and chain them.

Drug is a problem with society as a whole. All it takes is once.

I bear responsibility, but children can be funny creatures.

Thanks for the parenting advice.

[Beachmuscle]

+1 for this^^^

It seems like everyone is always trying to pass the blame. Nobody can man the **** up anymore and take responsibility.


Want to take responsibility? Join a community group that hangs out in drug infested areas taking down license plate numbers of johns and suspected drug dealers. People that hang out in these areas in groups and read books, socialize, etc.. to create a uncomfortable environment for these ****tards of society.

Easier to blame than take action.

I stand by my statement that if anyone ever sold drugs to my children they would be in a world of trouble, LE or otherwise.

[natenator]

I wasn't speaking to you directly Beachmuscle - I was speaking in general to the parental community that likes to 'pass the buck' when it comes to their children's ****-ups.

I probably should have re-phrased what I wrote, but when I said 'you' I was referring to the a-typical neglectful parent. Please don't take that as a personal attack, as that was not the intention.

I do, however, feel that your comment about putting the local drug-dealer in jeopardy because YOUR CHILD wanted to buy drugs (whether it be M1T's, or otherwise) is ridiculous. This is when your child needs to be disiplined, by you.
if the drug in question was coke would you be as tolerant of the supp store who sold it?

Agree in general with what you're saying but something tells me you know the person in question?

[Beachmuscle]

I wasn't speaking to you directly Beachmuscle - I was speaking in general to the parental community that likes to 'pass the buck' when it comes to their children's ****-ups.

I probably should have re-phrased what I wrote, but when I said 'you' I was referring to the a-typical neglectful parent. Please don't take that as a personal attack, as that was not the intention.

I do, however, feel that your comment about putting the local drug-dealer in jeopardy because YOUR CHILD wanted to buy drugs (whether it be M1T's, or otherwise) is ridiculous. This is when your child needs to be disiplined, by you.

No worries brother, I just do the best I can as a father, try to teach them right or wrong, and don't expect the government or anyone else to raise/teach my children.

Still, if someone sold my child drugs, I would be hard pressed not to take some action. Disciplining my child would be step one, step two would require some thought.

[Beachmuscle]

And yes, I do the know person in question, and it's not his style to push any grey-market product, whether it be M1T's or otherwise on anyone. He would educate people on the product if they asked for M1T's, and if they were still dead-set on buying it.. Well, **** it.. He's got a mortgage to pay too.

Joao's good shit, and he ran a good business. This is his livlihood, and I hope it doesn't effect his business in the future.

I feel for him, probably a great stand up guy, gets ****ed over while the cocaine and meth pushers run rampant.

What a waste of tax payers dollars!

[phatkid77]

flexys post kinda ticked me off but made me think...its not the parents responsibility here....while i understand these ****s have no moraals, they SHOULD, when approached by 13-16yrs old (for ex), NOT SELL TO THEM...but they do..

just like we dont approve of a 16yr old buying or selling to, M1T, or steroids...its just wrong..

i dont know....it makes sense in my head,, might not be coming out right

phats

[Beachmuscle]

flexys post kinda ticked me off but made me think...its not the parents responsibility here....while i understand these ****s have no moraals, they SHOULD, when approached by 13-16yrs old (for ex), NOT SELL TO THEM...but they do..

just like we dont approve of a 16yr old buying or selling to, M1T, or steroids...its just wrong..

i dont know....it makes sense in my head,, might not be coming out right

phats


It is a two sided street, the kids should have been taught to say "NO", they know the dangers and the difference between right and wrong, but on the other side of the coin, no ADULT should sell drugs to MINORS.

[pinhead]

Yup, young kids have bad judgment. An adult shouldn't sell stuff to minors. But the worst kind is those that try to push it. I doubt that was the case but common sense should prevail in situations like this.