Ohio officials probe large steroid ring

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CINCINNATI, Nov. 2 (UPI) -- Ohio officials say local professional athletes may be involved in a large steroid drug ring linked to a clandestine anabolic steroids lab in Tennessee.

Authorities who raided the secret lab in July seized $600,000 in liquid anabolic steroids and tablets and kilos of steroid powder, leading to indictments against 32 people, officials said Tuesday.

"There are at least two (professional athletes) we feel have an involvement in this operation," John Burke, commander of the Warren County Drug Task Force, told The Cincinnati Enquirer. "The investigation is ongoing and there may well be charges [against the athletes]."

Ohio authorities began investigating in January 2010 when they received two complaints about steroid abuse at a YMCA in Lebanon, along with concerns that some of the drugs were being dealt to high school athletes, Burke said.

Most of the indicted suspects knew each other from gyms and bodybuilding, he said.