Accused steroid trafficker named in court
Luxury cars, cash and property worth almost $4m has been seized in Melbourne as a businessman was arrested for allegedly selling steroids and prescription medication.
Police swooped on three properties in Melbourne’s north on Thursday morning, allegedly locating a “significant quantity” of illegal medication including steroids and human growth hormones.
Police allege the Melbourne Sports Medicine and Anti-Aging Science clinic in Moonee Ponds was selling prescription medication without a licence.
The owner, Robin James Taylor, 55, appeared before the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Friday charged with offences including trafficking a commercial quantity of prescription drugs and dealing with property suspected of being the proceeds of crime.
Prosecutors allege Mr Taylor was selling restricted drugs “under the guise of a doctor” using a blank signed prescription pad.
Senior Constable Alana Meachem said Mr Taylor had allegedly been convicted for similar offending on multiple occasions in the past, and had served a period of imprisonment.
She told the court day takings slips seized at a Somerton factory indicated the business was bringing in “approximately $100,000 a week”.
Constable Meachem said police began investigating five months ago, including covert surveillance in February and March which allegedly observed customers leaving the store with a “blue shopping bag” having entered empty-handed.
“It became clear the accused is trafficking anabolic steroids from the address,” she said.
“Police believe this is purely for financial gain.”
She said police would allege a doctor in NSW had left a signed blank prescription pad at the clinic, and was being transferred $2000 a week.
At a second property in Somerton, about 20km north, she said police seized $700,000 in cash and 17 luxury cars, estimated to be worth more than $3m.
Footage of some of the vehicles, which included two Lamborghinis, a Porsche, six Holden Toranas including a VK SS Peter Brock and a Corvette, being towed from the factory was shared publicly by Victoria Police.
Also seized was a Louis Vuitton dining table and chairs worth over $250,000, Constable Meachem said.
Mr Taylor’s barrister John Dickinson KC suggested the business had been providing the same services since 2011.
He said his client has a “chequered history” but argued whether the business operated illegally would be challenged at a later date.
“We say the prosecution case has problems,” he said.
“I won’t go as far as to say its weak, as Your Honour noted we don’t have all the material.”
Mr Taylor’s wife, he said, was prepared to offer up $1m in her home’s equity as a surety for bail and the case could face years of delay.
His wife reacted with shock, raising her hand to cover her mouth as the presiding magistrate denied bail.
Mr Taylor will return to court in June.
