Louisiana Couple Arrested as Owners of Domestic UGL Known as Aurum Rx USA

Kyle and Erica Roop were arrested after federal and local law enforcement agents raided their home in the wee morning hours of September 19, 2018. Authorities believe the couple were the brains behind a domestic U.S. steroid source known as Aurum Rx USA.

The two 31-year old aspiring musicians were identified as the target of a federal investigation over one year ago by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Shreveport Office and the Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). Federal agents, in conjunction with Tri-Parish Task Force agents employed by the Sheriff’s Offices of DeSoto, Red River and Sabine Parishes, surveilled the Grand Cane home of Kyle and Erica Roop for several months before shutting down the operation.

Federal agents eventually raided the home on September 19, 2018. The sophistication and size of the steroid manufacturing operation left some of the local cops flabbergasted. DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office (DPSO) Lieutenant Chato Atkins reported that he had never seen such a large-scale steroid laboratory in his 20 years experience on the job. Lt. Atkins estimated the value of the seizure to be approximately $500,000.

“Wow,” said DPSO Lt. Atkins. “I’ve never seen a lab, of that size and the steroids that he was producing, I’ve never seen anything like that in my 20 years of law enforcement.”

The biggest surprise for local and federal agents alike was the discovery of a pharmaceutical tablet press machine capable of the mass production of oral tablets. The sale of tablet presses is highly regulated by the DEA Diversion Control Division. Every time a pharmaceutical tableting machine or encapsulating machine is sold, the vendor is required to report the transaction to the DEA. The vendor is supposed to provide the DEA with the name of the purchasing individual or business, physical address and other contact information. Obviously, this does not always take place.

In addition to the pharmaceutical pill press machine, police also seized hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of anabolic steroid products ready for distribution to customers throughout the United States and beyond. Police seized customer information written in composition notebooks.

“During the search, agents were able to locate an extensive lab for manufacturing steroids and pills complete with the necessary equipment for mass production,” according to the official DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office press release. “A pill press was located along with many packages and containers sealed and ready for distribution. Overall, this investigation ended an elaborate operation that was making and distributing large quantities of liquid steroids and various types of pills in our area and abroad.”

A Google search of Aurum Rx steroids returns several search page results from UK-based steroid source forums in addition to source forums targeted to US domestic customers. While the official press release indicated that Aurum Rx steroids were distributed outside the United States, police did not explain the connection, if any, between Aurum Rx USA and Aurum Rx UK products.

Erica Roop was charged with Possession of Schedule I, Possession of Schedule III with Intent to Distribute, Creation or Operation of Clandestine Laboratory and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. She has been released from jail after posting bail.

Kyle Roop has not yet been charged for some reason. His charges are currently pending according to the DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office. The investigation is ongoing as investigators believe there are many other individuals involved.

Kyle and Erica Roop are both struggling musicians. Kyle has performed as a guitarist and banjo player for some established local bands. Erica is an aspiring singer and songwriter who has played as local venues and self-promoted on social media. Erica also worked as a physician assistant to bring in extra legitimate income.

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