ARLINGTON, Mass. --Arlington police think they have put an end to a major steroid manufacturing and Internet distribution business with the arrest Monday of a local man.
Police arrested Joseph A. DiRico, 38, and seized hundreds of testosterone filled vials, hypodermic needles, bottles police think were used to mix drugs and a filtration system police say is a critical piece of a drug-making laboratory, from a Somerville address where DiRico was staying.
The drugs and equipment had a street value of at least $10,000, Arlington detective Brian Connerney said.
The bust was one of the largest steroid seizures in state history, Chief Fred Ryan said.
"We are very happy that we seized this and got it off the streets," he said.
Police say they have been watching DiRico since September when his name came up in connection with another case.
Police began looking into DiRico's business and when they logged onto his Web site they suspected he was selling illegal steroids via the mail.
Undercover officers made two purchases from the Web site, the second just two weeks ago, and alerted the Food and Drug Administration. Police arrested DiRico after the FDA completed its investigation.
Arlington detectives, along with Somerville officers, FDA officials and Drug Enforcement Agency officers arrived at the West Somerville home at about on Monday where DiRico was staying with a friend.
The Somerville homeowner, who was not arrested, allowed police to search the property.
DiRico was charged with possession of Class E substances, steroids, and pharmaceutical drugs; possession of hypodermic needles; and possession of a drugs in a school zone.
Police spent about six hours dismantling the lab.
DiRico pleaded not guilty at his arraignment later Monday in Cambridge District Court, but was jailed when prosecutors revoked bail he had posted in the previous case, said Emily LaGrassa, a spokeswoman for the Middlesex district attorney's office.
DiRico used Canadian and British Internet services to maintain client lists, so customer records are not easily accessible, police said. The investigation is ongoing.
