Three local men accused in international steroid ring

LYNN – Two men from Lynn and one from Swampscott were indicted in federal court Wednesday for orchestrating an international steroids distribution ring, federal prosecutors said.Christopher Chase and Kenton Benloss, from Lynn and Phatsany Lae Syharath, of Swampscott, were indicted by a U.S. District Court grand jury in Concord, N.H.The three took in at least $670,000 during their illegal operation, prosecutors said.A federal indictment states the ring imported both legal and illegal prescription drugs that are commonly abused by body builders, according to the New Hampshire Union Leader. The drugs are anabolic steroids, human growth hormone, insulin-like growth factor-1 and Clenbueterol.With the exception of Clenbuterol, the Food and Drug Administration allows the drugs for medical reasons but not for body building. Clenbuterol has not been approved for any use.Prosecutors say the drugs were imported from China and Eastern Europe and were illegally sold over the Internet across the United States.The indictment says Chase created bank accounts to receive Internet payments and told banks the money was from Web sites that sold legal merchandise such as baseball cards.Authorities say the drugs were sold at multiple locations, including New Hampshire, which is why the U.S. District Court in Concord is prosecuting the federal case.If convicted, the three face a maximum 20 years in prison.