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Jacksonville-Based Domestic Source Sold Steroids Under the Axio Labs Label
A recently-busted Jacksonville-based domestic underground laboratory (UGL) was manufacturing and distributing anabolic steroids under the “Axio Labs” label. The decision to distribute steroids under the Axio Labs label is highly curious since the mastermind behind the original Axio Labs has been under federal indictment for almost 7 years.
Greg Baker, the mastermind behind the Jacksonville-based UGL, was indicted by a federal grand jury in Florida along with four other co-conspirators in September 2016. They were charged with conspiracy to import anabolic steroids, conspiracy to manufacture, distribute, and possess with intent to distribute anabolic steroids, conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute human growth hormone, conspiracy to commit money laundering and international transportation of monetary instruments.
Baker has been accused of using his personal training business as a front for his illicit steroid operation. Recent news reports revealed that Baker was selling steroids manufactured in his clandestine laboratory under the label of an infamous international steroid UGL which has been on the radar of law enforcement agencies in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Cyprus, Germany, Israel and South Africa for over 10 years.
Brian Wainstein, the founder of the original Axio Labs, was an international fugitive for several years and even placed on the Interpol wanted list for a period of time prior to his arrest in South Africa in January 2013. Wainstein has been fighting extradition to the United States ever since.
In 2010, a Tennessee grand jury indicted Wainstein after federal prosecutors alleged that Wainstein’s Axio Labs made approximately $8.6 million between December 2004 and October 2008. It goes without saying that Wainstein is probably the most high-profile and highly-coveted target of the DEA in its war on steroids.
This makes it incomprehensible why Baker and the co-conspirators behind the Jacksonville UGL would choose to distribute steroids under the label of such an infamous lab like Axio Labs. Perhaps, Baker was operating under the direction of Wainstein. This seems like an unlikely explanation. It seems more probable that Baker was attempting to capitalize on the former popularity of an internationally-recognized brand. He didn't seem to be troubled by the huge bullseye placed on Axio Labs by law enforcement.
Law enforcement agents in Florida revealed that Baker made no secret of his ill-gotten gains because he was living far beyond his means. Baker’s legitimate personal income did not account for his lavish lifestyle according to court documents.
“Mr. Baker’s purported employment and daily activities did not account for the lavish lifestyle he lived,” the court order said. “He built a $550,000 home and provided a $134,000 down payment.”
In addition, Baker’s local USPS post carrier revealed that Baker received almost daily packages from China (presumably containing raw steroid powder used in the manufacture of steroids).
And most importantly, it didn’t help that Baker apparently had enemies within his inner circle that snitched on him. An acquaintenance of his girlfried was apparently the personal who tipped off police to Baker’s steroid business.
“The tipster reported (Baker’s) girlfriend, Ashley, is scared he will kill or hurt someone because of the conditions under which the steroids are made … and he threatens to take their child away if she does not do what he says,” according to court documents.
Local news reports speculated that the girlfriend “Ashley” referred to an Ashley Hinson cited in the federal indictment. The possibility of domestic discord within the Hinson household doesn’t bode well for a resolution of the case that works in Baker’s favor.
A recently-busted Jacksonville-based domestic underground laboratory (UGL) was manufacturing and distributing anabolic steroids under the “Axio Labs” label. The decision to distribute steroids under the Axio Labs label is highly curious since the mastermind behind the original Axio Labs has been under federal indictment for almost 7 years.
Greg Baker, the mastermind behind the Jacksonville-based UGL, was indicted by a federal grand jury in Florida along with four other co-conspirators in September 2016. They were charged with conspiracy to import anabolic steroids, conspiracy to manufacture, distribute, and possess with intent to distribute anabolic steroids, conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute human growth hormone, conspiracy to commit money laundering and international transportation of monetary instruments.
Baker has been accused of using his personal training business as a front for his illicit steroid operation. Recent news reports revealed that Baker was selling steroids manufactured in his clandestine laboratory under the label of an infamous international steroid UGL which has been on the radar of law enforcement agencies in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Cyprus, Germany, Israel and South Africa for over 10 years.
Brian Wainstein, the founder of the original Axio Labs, was an international fugitive for several years and even placed on the Interpol wanted list for a period of time prior to his arrest in South Africa in January 2013. Wainstein has been fighting extradition to the United States ever since.
In 2010, a Tennessee grand jury indicted Wainstein after federal prosecutors alleged that Wainstein’s Axio Labs made approximately $8.6 million between December 2004 and October 2008. It goes without saying that Wainstein is probably the most high-profile and highly-coveted target of the DEA in its war on steroids.
This makes it incomprehensible why Baker and the co-conspirators behind the Jacksonville UGL would choose to distribute steroids under the label of such an infamous lab like Axio Labs. Perhaps, Baker was operating under the direction of Wainstein. This seems like an unlikely explanation. It seems more probable that Baker was attempting to capitalize on the former popularity of an internationally-recognized brand. He didn't seem to be troubled by the huge bullseye placed on Axio Labs by law enforcement.
Law enforcement agents in Florida revealed that Baker made no secret of his ill-gotten gains because he was living far beyond his means. Baker’s legitimate personal income did not account for his lavish lifestyle according to court documents.
“Mr. Baker’s purported employment and daily activities did not account for the lavish lifestyle he lived,” the court order said. “He built a $550,000 home and provided a $134,000 down payment.”
In addition, Baker’s local USPS post carrier revealed that Baker received almost daily packages from China (presumably containing raw steroid powder used in the manufacture of steroids).
And most importantly, it didn’t help that Baker apparently had enemies within his inner circle that snitched on him. An acquaintenance of his girlfried was apparently the personal who tipped off police to Baker’s steroid business.
“The tipster reported (Baker’s) girlfriend, Ashley, is scared he will kill or hurt someone because of the conditions under which the steroids are made … and he threatens to take their child away if she does not do what he says,” according to court documents.
Local news reports speculated that the girlfriend “Ashley” referred to an Ashley Hinson cited in the federal indictment. The possibility of domestic discord within the Hinson household doesn’t bode well for a resolution of the case that works in Baker’s favor.