United States Drug Enforcement Administration

HARTFORD, Conn. - Michael J. Ferguson Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England and Deidre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that Mark Bertanza, 34, of Shelton, pleaded guilty in Hartford federal court to one count of conspiracy to distribute anabolic steroids.

According to court documents and statements made in court, a long-term investigation led by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Homeland Security Investigations revealed that individuals, including a law enforcement officer, were receiving shipments of steroid ingredients from China and manufacturing and distributing wholesale quantities of steroids.  The investigation also revealed that certain members of the conspiracy were distributing prescription pills, including oxycodone.

During the course of the investigation, law enforcement officers seized hundreds of vials of steroids, approximately 600 grams of raw testosterone powder, approximately 350 grams of powder cocaine, and four long guns.

In pleading guilty, Bertanza admitted that he purchased anabolic steroids from another member of the conspiracy and distributed them to others.

Bertanza is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny on January 8, 2016, at which time he faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.

Bertanza was arrested on April 29, 2015, and is released on a $100,000 bond.

This matter is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, with the assistance of the U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.