Bodybuilder Calls Steroids Part of the Game

Aug. 17, 2005 -- -- A Washington bodybuilder accused of possessing more than 40,000 doses of steroids said he had the drug for his own use, and claimed that he has to take steroids to compete on the professional circuit.

"That's the only way to level the playing field," Jeff Bell, a professional bodybuilder who was arrested Friday on charges of possessing steroids and planning to sell them, told ABC News affiliate KOMO-TV in Seattle. "And if you're not using and others are, they're going to have that advantage."

Thurston County Sheriff's detectives said they found both pills and liquid steroids, along with injection needles, and after consulting with both a pharmacist and a veterinarian, detectives estimated they had found more than 40,000 doses.

"Obviously the amount that this particular suspect had is far beyond what the average person would have," Sheriff's Captain Brad Watkins told KOMO-TV.

It's the biggest steroid bust ever made in Thurston County -- worth more than $1.5 million on the street, he said.

At first, Bell was reluctant to talk about his arrest, saying he didn't know if his attorney would approve. He later told KOMO-TV openly that he uses steroids, and believes there is nothing wrong with using the drug as long as people are careful.

He said he is a professional consultant who's taken numerous bodybuilders to competition wins. When asked about the health risks of steroids, he answered, "Before I take on any client, they have to go and get a physical and blood work done both before and after."

He also said he wouldn't work with anyone under the age of 18, "because of the simple fact once you're 18, you're an adult, you can make your own decisions. Before that I won't work with them."

Bell said he doesn't give steroids to any of his clients.

"They're on their own and my recommendation is always that they go see a doctor themselves," he said.

Bell added that everything detectives seized in his apartment was for his personal use for next year's national competition in which he planned to compete.

Detectives said they did not believe Bell's contention.

"The amount of dosages that he had was up over 40,000 dosages," Watkins said. "And if it was for his personal use it was going to be for his personal use for many, many, many years to come."

Bell said the case is being blown way out of proportion and that police estimates of both the doses and value of the steroids in his apartment are highly exaggerated.

But Watkins said the Sheriff's Office is taking the case seriously. Bell has one prior conviction for steroid possession and Watkins said a conviction this time could lead to as much as five years in prison.