Since January 1, 2024, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents at the Port of Cincinnati have seized eight shipments of equine performance-enhancing substances.
The parcels arrived from Mexico and were destined for various people around the United States, some with ties to racing or other horse entertainment venues.
CBP worked with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) to locate the eight shipments, which included injectables labeled as cobra venom, Spidermorph, Scorpioadrenalin, unapproved medications such as TB-1000, caffeine, anabolic steroids, unknown vitamin compounds, Ritalin, and ketamine.
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“Kentucky is known as the horse capital of the world,” said Cincinnati Port Director Alrick Brooks, “and the equine industry is a prominent part of the U.S. agricultural economy. CBP is committed to protecting this industry and the animals within it by preventing illicit substances such as these—designed to mask pain or artificially enhance an animal’s legitimate physical capabilities—from coming into the country.”
Some of the drugs were manufactured from protected animal species, which raised worries about wildlife trafficking and conservation.
"The FWS inspectors at the Port of Cincinnati, in partnership with CBP, continue to produce excellent results in impacting the illegal wildlife trade," stated Louisville Supervisory Wildlife Inspector Denise Larison.
“Wildlife trafficking remains a significant threat to thousands of animal and plant species around the globe. Thanks to this great partnership, we were once again able to prevent the unlawful import of protected species and disrupt the illegal market for these valuable animals.”
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CBP intercepted the packages at the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) request, as the pharmaceuticals did not comply with the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and violated various FDA regulations.
“The FDA is always concerned about the illegal importation of injectable, unapproved medications which may pose a significant risk to public health, and can include drugs for animals.” said Assistant Commissioner for Import Operations Dan Solis. “This shows working collaboratively with CBP and other federal partners helps prevent potentially dangerous medical products from entering the U.S.”
The abuse of snake venom and other performance enhancers within the equine industry has been the subject of previous federal investigations and indictments leading to sentences from the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
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“CBP is entrusted with enforcing hundreds of laws for more than 40 other government agencies,” said Chicago Director of Field Operations LaFonda D. Sutton-Burke. “We are delighted to work with our counterparts within the FDA and FWS to ensure these illicit and dangerous drugs can no longer be used for nefarious purposes.”
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