Report: Perkins man imported steroids from China

PERKINS TWP. — Police arrested a Perkins man this week after a months-long investigation found he allegedly imported steroids from China and prepared to sell the illegal substance, according to a police report. Ronald Syverson, 29, of the 1500 block of E. Bogart Road, was charged with two counts of felony drug possession and two counts of felony drug trafficking.Police seized these bags of steroids in powder form, which were purportedly disguised as pet products. Police first learned about the alleged illegal activity Oct. 6, 2017, when U.S. Customs agents in Memphis intercepted a package with an unknown substance allegedly bound for Syverson's Perkins Township address, according to a Perkins police report. Customs agents tested the substance and found the package contained 342 milligrams of the steroid Equipoise.U.S. Customs alerted Cleveland's Homeland Security office, which contacted Perkins police.On Oct. 16, Perkins police obtained a search warrant and entered Syverson's apartment. Inside, police found a receipt from China allegedly showing $1,108 spent on syringes, vials, sticker labels and other packaging "consistent with trafficking and labeling for sale of (human growth hormone)," the report states. Items seized from Syverson's residence, pictured here, included vials, syringes and labels for steroid packaging, police said.Syverson returned home while police continued their search. A delivery driver also showed up during this time with a package for Syverson, according to the report. Police found two plastic containers with labels picturing dogs with Chinese lettering inside his home. Inside the containers — allegedly designed to look like pet dietary substances — police found a powdered form of steroids, the report states.Police subpoenaed the Perkins Township Meijer and received images of Syverson allegedly sending money through Western Union for the steroids, the report states.The packages where powdered steroids were allegedly found featured images of dogs and Chinese lettering. In total, authorities seized 457 grams of powdered steroids and about 23 grams of liquid steroids from Syverson's residence and the intercepted package, according to the report. The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation tested the substances and positively identified them as anabolic steroids in March.Perkins police arrested Syverson May 11. He's since been released from the Erie County jail on bond, according to jail records.Syverson was arraigned Monday in Sandusky Municipal Court and entered a not guilty plea. He's scheduled for a preliminary hearing July 24.Visit our Perkins police hub for more storiesReach reporter Brandon Addeo at brandonaddeo@sanduskyregister.com, follow him on Twitter @BrandonAddeo and follow the Register at Facebook.com/SanduskyRegisterRONALD SYVERSON