The master mind in the Biogenesis scandal surrendered to DEA on Tuesday, tentatively closing a chapter of the two-year Operation Strikeout investigation. Anthony Bosch, the founder of Biogenesis clinic, and his associates have been charged with conspiracy to distribute steroids. The doping scandal marred some of Major League Baseball’s famous names like Alex Rodriguez, Ryan Braun, Nelson Cruz, Melky Cabrera and Bartolo Colon. Close to 20 players have been suspended by MLB for having tested positive or for their usage of steroids revealed in clinic records.
In the next chapter of the operation, the officials are likely to focus on the funding sources of Bosch’s operation and further evidence that Bosch’s patients included teenage athletes. First reported by the Miami Herald and ESPN, stories alleging that Bosch supplied sports drugs to minors through their parents surfaced. Clinical records showed his patient list contained at least 15 high school or college athletes. In addition, DEA already interviewed at least one teenage athlete last year in connection with the scandal.
Among the arrested on Tuesday was ‘Cousin Yuri’ Sucart, who Rodriguez identified as his performance enhancing drug (PED) source during his years at the Texas Rangers. Sucart was reported to be the person who introduced Rodriguez to Bosch and later became a liaison between the two.
Bosch reportedly had struck a deal with the officials to plead guilty to the conspiracy charge. He cooperated with MLB’s investigation to nail the players including Rodriguez. Bosch told “60 Minutes” that he decided to cooperate when he feared for his own life after rejecting an offer by one of Rodgriguez’s associates in Miami to leave the country until the scandal died down. Rodriguez is currently serving a 162 game suspension for his use of performance PEDs.
Biogenesis founder Tony Bosch surrenders to DEA , plead guilty to drug-distribution conspiracy