A keen Wollongong gym-goer who imported $2000 worth of illegal steroids and human growth hormones from China has had the drugs seized and been ordered to pay a $5000 fine.
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Gregory Bloom, 40, imported 200g of steroids and 435 vials of human growth hormones that were intercepted by Australian Border Force between June last year and January 2021.
The drugs arrived in five consignments, with the contents falsely labelled as "modified starch", "glass bottles", "titanium oxide" and "packing box".
Authorities tested the contents, finding white powder in the enclosed vials was human growth hormone, and a pouch of powder was anabolic or androgenic steroids.
Police arrived at Bloom's door in April. He told the officers the drugs were for personal use, to assist with his recovery from a shoulder injury.
Five of six charges were withdrawn at Wollongong Local Court on Tuesday, following plea negotiations. Bloom pleaded guilty to intentionally importing prohibited tier 1 goods.
The court heard Bloom was a person of prior good character, with no criminal history. He paid $2000 for a year's supply of the drugs using a private credit card as he was concerned his wife would be unhappy with the spending, Bloom's lawyer told the court.
"It was to aid a long-running injury and also to assist him in his fitness. Whilst clearly a pretty stupid idea in hindsight, he's someone who has been an active member of the gym community, trying to maintain his very healthy lifestyle and training," the lawyer said.
"They were ordered from a manufacturer in China, so whilst it's legal over there, these items aren't legal here, and that's why it was picked up by customs."
Magistrate Susan McGowan placed Bloom on a 12-month community corrections order and fined him $5000.
"Maybe he has to be satisfied with lifting weights," the magistrate said. "I don't think there's any shortcuts."
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