News Release
April 21, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contacts:
Elizabeth Jordan
Drug Enforcement Administration
(212) 337-2906

BRONX PHARMACIST CHARGED BY U.S. WITH UNLAWFUL DISTRIBUTION OF ANABOLIC STEROIDS

JOHN P. GILBRIDE, the Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (“DEA”) New York Office andDAVID N. KELLEY, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced the filing of an Information charging KENNETH FERST, 56, of New York, New York, with illegally distributing a controlled substance, namely anabolic steroids, to a person who did not have a prescription for the steroids. FERST is the owner of Whitestone Pharmacy, located at 3838 East Tremont Avenue, Bronx, New York.

According to the criminal Complaint filed on February 22,2005, and the Information filed today in Manhattan federal court, FERST, on three separate occasions from December 2004 through February 2005, sold Nandrolene Decanoate, an injectable anabolic steroid known to increase muscle mass, and Tamoxifen Citrate, a medicine commonly used to counteract gynomastia (a side effect commonly suffered by those who use steroids in connection with bodybuilding), to an individual who was cooperating with the authorities. That individual never provided FERST with a medical prescription to obtain these steroids.

The defendant is charged in the Information with distributing, and possessing with the intent to distribute, a controlled substance, namely anabolic steroids. If convicted, the defendant faces 5 years’ imprisonment and a $250,000 fine. The Information also seeks forfeiture of any proceeds FERST obtained directly or indirectly as a result of his illegal steroid dealing,and any and all property used in any manner to commit and to facilitate the commission of the crime.

Mr. KELLEY praised the efforts of the New York Drug Enforcement Task Force in this case and said that the investigation is continuing.

Assistant United States Attorneys DAVID LEIBOWITZ and JOHN O’DONNELL are in charge of the prosecution.