Derry Man Sentenced to 36 Months in Federal Prison for Importing, Manufacturing, and Distributing Steroids
CONCORD, N.H.- A Derry man was sentenced today in federal court in connection with importing, manufacturing, and distributing steroids, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.
Ralph Cardarelli, 44, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Samantha D. Elliott to 36 months in prison and 2 years of supervised release. On December 13, 2023, Cardarelli pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute steroids and causing a drug to become misbranded after shipment in interstate commerce.
“The defendant was engaged in large-scale illegal steroid manufacturing out of his garage and was then selling these homemade drugs,” said U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young. “Today’s sentence sends the message that those involved in drug manufacturing and distribution will face significant punishment in New Hampshire.”
“The illegal distribution of prescription drugs from unapproved and unregulated sources increases the risk of irregularities and impurities that can result in serious injury or death,” said Special Agent in Charge Fernando McMillan, FDA Office of Criminal Investigations, New York Field Office. “The FDA is committed to doing our part to disrupt and dismantle illegal prescription drug distribution networks, including those that import unapproved drugs from overseas and distribute those drugs with reckless disregard of the risk to public health.”
According to the charging documents, during the execution of a search warrant at Cardarelli’s residence on March 23, 2023, federal investigators recovered the raw materials and machines used to manufacture pills along with numerous bins and shelves with finished products—in total over 3,000 vials and 64,000 pills of controlled substances and prescription drugs, including: Nandrolone Phenylpropionate; Trenbolone Acetate; Dromostanolone Propionate; Boldenone Undecylenate; Testosterone Propionate; Trenbolone Enanthate; Nandrolone Decanoate; Testosterone Enanthate; and Testosterone Cypionate. These drugs are commonly known as steroids. Evidence was also discovered through the search warrant that Cardarelli was importing these drugs, manufacturing, and packaging them in his residence, and dispensing the drugs without requiring a prescription.
The Food & Drug Administration - Office of Criminal Investigations led the investigation. Valuable assistance was provided by Customs and Border Protection, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Derry Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Ward prosecuted the case.
