WSMV Channel 4 Police: International steroids smuggling busted in Murfreesboro

Police: International steroids smuggling busted in Murfreesboro

Murfreesboro police and TBI agents say they have busted an international drug smuggling ring involving steroids. 

Storage Plex co-owner Bernie Oliver was quite perplexed to find out Murfreesboro police had cut the lock and raided Unit 91 at his business.

"Total shock, it was unbelievable," Oliver said.

A Channel 4 News crew was there when Oliver took his first look inside the unit only to find clothing scattered about and a search warrant on the wall.

Murfreesboro detectives and TBI agents said they found $500,000 worth of steroids in the 10' by 5' climate control unit.

"The different types of steroids included syringed injected fluids, pills, powder and patches.  There were more than 15 types of steroids confiscated by investigators," Murfreesboro police spokesman Kyle Evans said.

Leslie Parker Jr. was arrested. Police say he's a major player in an international drug smuggling ring involving steroids. Authorities say the illegal drugs were shipped from China to JFK International Airport in New York and then sent to Parker by U.S. mail to several locations in Murfreesboro, including the Crestwood Suites where he had been staying.

"But we also believe these drugs were being shipped to dealers all over the United States as part of this international drug smuggling operation," Evans said.

Oliver said he had no idea Parker was allegedly using the unit to run an illegal drug business.

"The story he told us was he was into with his wife and he needed to store a few boxes a few days until things got figured out. We don't condone it, we don't put up with it," Oliver said.

Murfreesboro police say this is the largest steroids bust in the department's history.

Parker is charged with Possession and Distribution of a Schedule III Drug and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

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