09/22/2007

Police searched the couple's Biglar Court home Wednesday and found weapons and the makings of a steroid lab, the affidavit states.

Russo and Gonzalez allegedly were found to be sending and receiving illegal steroids packages, both nationally and internationally, during an investigation by Drug Enforcement Administration Agent Andrew Cunney, according to the affidavit.

The DEA conducted controlled buys with the couple, the affidavit states. Russo sent steroids and Gonzalez received illegal drug proceeds, the document states. Her bank accounts showed she was receiving money from Serbia.

The couple also was receiving

materials to make steroids from China, the affidavit says.
Police went to Gonzalez's and Russo's home at 7:21 p.m. Wednesday.

Todd Robert Zima Jr. of Lancaster was there when police arrived and said he was house-sitting. Police could see the drug lab in the garage, the affidavit states. When questioned if there was anything illegal in the house, Zima told them there was marijuana, according to court documents.

After waiting two and a half hours for a search warrant, police found the drugs and weapons, court documents state.

Gonzalez was arrested when she arrived at the home during the search.

Charges related to the manufacturing and possession of drugs were filed against her and against Zima in York County District Justice Doug Meisenhelter's office.

Gonzalez was in York County Prison Friday afternoon in lieu of $1 million bail. Zima made bail and was released late Thursday night, according to Central Booking. His bail amount was unclear.

Russo was arrested on a federal indictment from California during the investigation, according to the affidavit.

Michael Sanders, a spokesman for the DEA, confirmed Russo had been arrested but could not provide any information about the charges or where Russo was being held. Sanders said more information would be released Monday.

Gonzalez and Russo had lived on Biglar Court for only about two weeks, according to several neighbors, who said they waved and said hello but knew little about the new residents.

Barb and Brent Blakely, who live next door, said they saw police that night but did not know what happened until the next day when reporters told them.

"It's kind of crazy. You don't expect something like that," Barb Blakely said.

They and other neighbors said they saw up to 11 police cars at the home Wednesday night. Cars and motorcycles were hauled away from the home, they said. The commotion was gone by morning.

Sara Bush, who lives a few doors away, said she wished police could have given residents notice so they would have known what was happening.

"It was scary to watch," she said.

The DEA's ongoing investigation involves many jurisdictions and could result in charges against others, the affidavit states. More charges might be filed once seized computers are searched and the history of the firearms is investigated.

York Area Regional Police assisted the Drug Enforcement Agency with the search.

ITEMS FOUND
During a search of the Biglar Court home of Nicole D. Gonzalez and John P. Russo, police allegedly found:

· Five kilograms of steroids

· Thousands of suspected steroids pills

· Syringes

· Hundreds of suspected steroid ampules

· Marijuana

· Records and receipts that indicated a national and international drug vending operation

· A gun safe

· Two assault rifles

· Two sub-machine guns

· Two shotguns

· 11 semi-automatic handguns

· Hundreds of rounds of ammunitions

Source: affidavit of probable cause

CHARGES
· Nicole D. Gonzalez of Windsor Township is charged with manufacture of controlled substances, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and criminal conspiracy.

·Todd Robert Zima Jr. of Lancaster is charged with manufacture of controlled substances, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and criminal conspiracy.