Please Scroll Down to See Forums Below 
liquidanny
New member
Great article if you are looking to do some "border hopping"...
Hope it helps...
Today we'll explore popular methods of bringing ergogenic substances into the states from Mexico. It's important to note that while we're focusing on bodybuilding drugs, these same importation procedures can be used to obtain hair loss products, so-called smart drugs, life extension products, prescription-only products such as Retin-A, and sexual aides like Viagra. Even some elderly individuals on fixed budgets have been known to get their medications in this manner.
As we said in Part I, there are no guarantees. The legal risks are always present. However, using the information contained herein you can at least minimize your chances of getting busted.
Assessing the Risks
While it may be legal to purchase physique enhancing drugs in Mexico, it is not legal to bring them back into the US or any country where they are classified as a controlled substance. Let's not sugarcoat this issue: if you bring a little Deca back from Tijuana, you are smuggling. It is illegal.
That being said, most people busted at the border for what appears to be a personal supply of bodybuilding drugs are not arrested. However, you will likely be issued a citation and are often fined. The fine is often based on the amount of illegal items in your possession. Your gear is confiscated, of course.
There have been cases where the smuggler is taken into custody and remains in jail a day or two, but this is rare. It's also important to remember that the unlawful possession of steroids is a misdemeanor, but "possession for sale" is a felony.
Ok, I'm here. Where's the gear?
Many bodybuilders claim the tourist traps are the best places to go for 'roids. In exchange for the wide variety of both human and veterinary drugs, you can expect to pay more in these high traffic areas. You'll also run a higher risk of being ratted out. More on that later.
The following locations are all good places to get your gear: Acapulco, Tijuana, Puerto Vallarta, Juarez, Cancun and Cozumel. Smaller or more out of the way areas will probably work too, but the selection is often more limited and you may run into a language problem.
Dangers and Dealings with Pharmacists
First off, walking into the local pharmacia and getting steroids isn't quite as easy as walking into 7-11 for beer and Cheez Whiz. Often the pharmacist will ask for a prescription. Don't panic, you can go next door or down the street and have a doctor whip one up for you for a small fee, usually between $10 to $30. The real danger here is that some pharmacy workers act as informants to Customs agents.
In case the pharmacist had provided agents with a description, it may be wise to change your appearance after making your purchase. A very cautious smuggler will often grow some type of facial hair before his trip, buy his gear and then shave before leaving the country. If you're on a short day trip into Mexico, it may also be wise to act on the side of caution and change clothes before you leave.
Another good idea is to park your vehicle well away from the pharmacy. If an informant is unable to provide a vehicle description, you're less likely to be stopped and searched.
Veterinarians usually pose less risk; however, it's wise to purchase less than $300 worth from any one location to avoid attracting too much attention.
Appearances Should be Deceiving
Whether walking though checkpoints or driving, you must be aware of your appearance. Shaving and changing clothes before exiting the country may help, but there are other things to watch out for. Many federales are trained to watch for the shaved arms and legs of a bodybuilder. It's probably smart to grow any shaved hair out before your trip.
It's also a good idea to conceal your physique (assuming you're big and muscular already). Don't go overboard with a sweatshirt, but don't wear a tank top or a tight T-shirt either. Oh, and just in case we have some Olympia contenders here, you might not want to wear your Gold's Gym T-shirt and a pair of clown pants. See, Mr. Coleman, that would be bad. You could get busted and have to help arrest yourself.
Many bodybuilders also get another, less conspicuous person to walk their gear across the border. Usually, this "mule" is a wife, gal pal, or skinny friend of the bodybuilder or athlete. Custom agents have even been alerted to pay close attention to attractive women traveling alone, especially if a muscular male is nearby.
Vehicle Crossings: How not to get caught in your coche.
Supposedly, about 1 in 50 vehicles are targeted for secondary inspection. Two consecutive vehicles are seldom stopped. Illegal importers often choose a smaller, more conservative vehicle as larger vehicles may be inspected in an attempt to catch illegal immigrants. Travelling behind a van or Suburban type of vehicle may lessen your chance of being inspected.
Besides parking out of visual range of pharmacies and vets, there are other precautions to take when traveling across the border in your car. It's been reported that traveling with a woman is less suspicious than traveling with a group of guys (especially if you all weigh 250 ripped and are wearing Testosterone T-shirts with the sleeves torn off.)
It's also a good idea to have your driver's license and/or passport ready to go as you approach a checkpoint. Claiming a few souvenir items will also help give the appearance that you and your mate are just a couple of tourists. (Just remember that declared souvenir items are often X-rayed or visually inspected.) It would be wise for all passengers in the car to have the same story prepared in case they're questioned.
Since steroidal items cannot be detected by dogs, you only have to hide them from humans. Usually, the first place you think of to hide contraband is also the first place that will be searched. Door panels, trunks, spare tires and rims, and engines are all too common places to hide your gear. We can't suggest an alternative, however, since that would, in effect, alert law enforcement to that hiding place as well. Be creative, but also remember that some bodybuilding substances such as growth hormone needs to be kept cold.
Whether traveling through customs by foot or by car, experienced smugglers often choose to cross during very busy times such as weekends and holidays. Some even time their crossing to coincide with the end of the border patrol's shift when agents may be tired and ready to go home. According to sources, around 9:00 to 10:00 p.m. on a busy day is the best time to cross.
Note: If you'd rather not bring the items back into the States by hand, remember that you can always mail your purchases back home. We won't say this is less risky, instead you simply have to endure a different set of risks. Using the mail system was covered in Part I.
A Final Word
In some cases, US authorities may ask your permission to search your person for "weapons". A nervous and intimidated person may think, "Well, I'm not carrying a weapon" and foolishly consent to the search. If bodybuilding drugs are found, Mr. Affable is often arrested. Instead, deny the request. If the authorities get pushy, you can always ask them if you're under arrest. If not, then you have the right to walk away. You may want to read Brock Strasser's article titled Attorney for the Defense back in issue 79 for more details on the legalities of purchasing steroids.
The key here is to educate yourself before you attempt to purchase any bodybuilding drugs. The rules to obtaining steroids are the same as using them: Be prepared. Be smart. But most of all, be careful.
Hope it helps...
Today we'll explore popular methods of bringing ergogenic substances into the states from Mexico. It's important to note that while we're focusing on bodybuilding drugs, these same importation procedures can be used to obtain hair loss products, so-called smart drugs, life extension products, prescription-only products such as Retin-A, and sexual aides like Viagra. Even some elderly individuals on fixed budgets have been known to get their medications in this manner.
As we said in Part I, there are no guarantees. The legal risks are always present. However, using the information contained herein you can at least minimize your chances of getting busted.
Assessing the Risks
While it may be legal to purchase physique enhancing drugs in Mexico, it is not legal to bring them back into the US or any country where they are classified as a controlled substance. Let's not sugarcoat this issue: if you bring a little Deca back from Tijuana, you are smuggling. It is illegal.
That being said, most people busted at the border for what appears to be a personal supply of bodybuilding drugs are not arrested. However, you will likely be issued a citation and are often fined. The fine is often based on the amount of illegal items in your possession. Your gear is confiscated, of course.
There have been cases where the smuggler is taken into custody and remains in jail a day or two, but this is rare. It's also important to remember that the unlawful possession of steroids is a misdemeanor, but "possession for sale" is a felony.
Ok, I'm here. Where's the gear?
Many bodybuilders claim the tourist traps are the best places to go for 'roids. In exchange for the wide variety of both human and veterinary drugs, you can expect to pay more in these high traffic areas. You'll also run a higher risk of being ratted out. More on that later.
The following locations are all good places to get your gear: Acapulco, Tijuana, Puerto Vallarta, Juarez, Cancun and Cozumel. Smaller or more out of the way areas will probably work too, but the selection is often more limited and you may run into a language problem.
Dangers and Dealings with Pharmacists
First off, walking into the local pharmacia and getting steroids isn't quite as easy as walking into 7-11 for beer and Cheez Whiz. Often the pharmacist will ask for a prescription. Don't panic, you can go next door or down the street and have a doctor whip one up for you for a small fee, usually between $10 to $30. The real danger here is that some pharmacy workers act as informants to Customs agents.
In case the pharmacist had provided agents with a description, it may be wise to change your appearance after making your purchase. A very cautious smuggler will often grow some type of facial hair before his trip, buy his gear and then shave before leaving the country. If you're on a short day trip into Mexico, it may also be wise to act on the side of caution and change clothes before you leave.
Another good idea is to park your vehicle well away from the pharmacy. If an informant is unable to provide a vehicle description, you're less likely to be stopped and searched.
Veterinarians usually pose less risk; however, it's wise to purchase less than $300 worth from any one location to avoid attracting too much attention.
Appearances Should be Deceiving
Whether walking though checkpoints or driving, you must be aware of your appearance. Shaving and changing clothes before exiting the country may help, but there are other things to watch out for. Many federales are trained to watch for the shaved arms and legs of a bodybuilder. It's probably smart to grow any shaved hair out before your trip.
It's also a good idea to conceal your physique (assuming you're big and muscular already). Don't go overboard with a sweatshirt, but don't wear a tank top or a tight T-shirt either. Oh, and just in case we have some Olympia contenders here, you might not want to wear your Gold's Gym T-shirt and a pair of clown pants. See, Mr. Coleman, that would be bad. You could get busted and have to help arrest yourself.
Many bodybuilders also get another, less conspicuous person to walk their gear across the border. Usually, this "mule" is a wife, gal pal, or skinny friend of the bodybuilder or athlete. Custom agents have even been alerted to pay close attention to attractive women traveling alone, especially if a muscular male is nearby.
Vehicle Crossings: How not to get caught in your coche.
Supposedly, about 1 in 50 vehicles are targeted for secondary inspection. Two consecutive vehicles are seldom stopped. Illegal importers often choose a smaller, more conservative vehicle as larger vehicles may be inspected in an attempt to catch illegal immigrants. Travelling behind a van or Suburban type of vehicle may lessen your chance of being inspected.
Besides parking out of visual range of pharmacies and vets, there are other precautions to take when traveling across the border in your car. It's been reported that traveling with a woman is less suspicious than traveling with a group of guys (especially if you all weigh 250 ripped and are wearing Testosterone T-shirts with the sleeves torn off.)
It's also a good idea to have your driver's license and/or passport ready to go as you approach a checkpoint. Claiming a few souvenir items will also help give the appearance that you and your mate are just a couple of tourists. (Just remember that declared souvenir items are often X-rayed or visually inspected.) It would be wise for all passengers in the car to have the same story prepared in case they're questioned.
Since steroidal items cannot be detected by dogs, you only have to hide them from humans. Usually, the first place you think of to hide contraband is also the first place that will be searched. Door panels, trunks, spare tires and rims, and engines are all too common places to hide your gear. We can't suggest an alternative, however, since that would, in effect, alert law enforcement to that hiding place as well. Be creative, but also remember that some bodybuilding substances such as growth hormone needs to be kept cold.
Whether traveling through customs by foot or by car, experienced smugglers often choose to cross during very busy times such as weekends and holidays. Some even time their crossing to coincide with the end of the border patrol's shift when agents may be tired and ready to go home. According to sources, around 9:00 to 10:00 p.m. on a busy day is the best time to cross.
Note: If you'd rather not bring the items back into the States by hand, remember that you can always mail your purchases back home. We won't say this is less risky, instead you simply have to endure a different set of risks. Using the mail system was covered in Part I.
A Final Word
In some cases, US authorities may ask your permission to search your person for "weapons". A nervous and intimidated person may think, "Well, I'm not carrying a weapon" and foolishly consent to the search. If bodybuilding drugs are found, Mr. Affable is often arrested. Instead, deny the request. If the authorities get pushy, you can always ask them if you're under arrest. If not, then you have the right to walk away. You may want to read Brock Strasser's article titled Attorney for the Defense back in issue 79 for more details on the legalities of purchasing steroids.
The key here is to educate yourself before you attempt to purchase any bodybuilding drugs. The rules to obtaining steroids are the same as using them: Be prepared. Be smart. But most of all, be careful.
