Four plead guilty to steroid smuggling in BC

Four people have pleaded guilty in Vancouver Provincial Court for their role in steroid smuggling and distribution ring in BC.

The investigation that began in July 2015 had officers in Canada and US monitor the activities of the four people suspected of participating in a smuggling operation.

They identified 34 mailboxes across the Lower Mainland and five mailboxes in Washington State that were used to receive the steroids, which were then illegally sold in British Columbia and the country.

Once the mailboxes were known to Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), the agency was able to intercept shipments being sent to them.

In August 2016, the CBSA executed search warrants on the group’s three residences and one bank safety deposit box.

Officers discovered mailbox contracts, shipping documents, fraudulent identification, wire-transfer receipts, over $40,000 in cash, more than a dozen cellphones, tablets and laptops, and an estimated $150,000 worth of anabolic steroids.

In total, the CBSA seized 121 postal and courier shipments of anabolic steroids and import-controlled substances.

On separate occasions, the CBSA intercepted two of the accused in possession of these drugs at the Abbotsford-Huntingdon port of entry. The total estimated re-sale value of the drugs seized both at the port of entry and as part of the postal and courier shipments is $715,000.

All four members of the group were charged by the CBSA on February 28, 2019.

Daniel Anderson Crowder pleaded guilty to smuggling under the Customs Act, trafficking under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, possession for the purpose of trafficking under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, and procuring fraudulent identity documents under the Criminal Code.

He was sentenced to a 15-month conditional sentence, 100 hours of community service, a $25,000 fine, plus 18 months of probation after he serves his sentence.

 Nicole Kathleen Crowder pleaded guilty to smuggling under the Customs Act

She was sentenced to a conditional discharge, provided that she successfully completes a 15-month probation order and 80 hours of community service.

Kevin Lee Britton pleaded guilty to smuggling under the Customs Act, trafficking under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, and possession for the purpose of trafficking under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.

He was sentenced to an 18-month conditional sentence, 40 hours of community service, a $25,000 fine, plus an year of probation after he serves his sentence. He also received a mandatory firearms prohibition.

Duane Barry Loewen pleaded guilty to smuggling under the Customs Act, and was sentenced to 18-month probation and 50 hours of community service.

Anyone with information about suspicious cross-border activity can anonymously call the Border Watch Line toll-free at 1-888-502-9060.