United States Drug Enforcement Administration

BOSTON – A Las Vegas man, formerly of Northborough, Mass., pleaded guilty on Sept. 10, 2026 in federal court in Worcester for conspiring to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute large quantities of anabolic steroids and methamphetamine. The defendant also pleaded guilty to firearms charges. 

Mark Taslakian, 52, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute schedule III anabolic steroids, one count of possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and anabolic steroids, and one count of being a felon in possession of seven firearms. U.S. District Court Judge Margaret R. Guzman scheduled sentencing for Jan. 11, 2027.  

According to court documents, Taslakian and others formulated a plan to order multi-kilogram quantities of raw steroid powders from China which they then synthesized into injectable and oral products. Taslakian came up with the idea of marketing/distributing their own brand name of anabolic steroids under the pseudonym “Nex-Gen Pharma.” During a search of Taslakian’s former residence in Northborough, over $500K in cash, a gold bar, jewelry, significant quantities of anabolic steroids and methamphetamine, packaging materials, ledgers and seven firearms in a basement safe were seized.  

The charge of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute schedule III anabolic steroids provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, at least two years of supervised release and a fine of up to $500,000. The charge of possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and anabolic steroids provides for a sentence of no less than five years up to 40 years in prison, at least four years of supervised release and a fine of up to $5million. The charge of felon in possession of a firearm provides a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Jarod A. Forget, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; and Justin Page, Acting Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Boston Division made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Danial E. Bennett of the Worcester Branch Office is prosecuting the case.