Multiple bottles of animal venom–most likely from snakes, spiders, and scorpions–have been intercepted by United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents in Cincinnati since the beginning of the year, according to a report by WKRC in Cincinnati. Agents told WKRC some of the supply, which originated in Mexico, was headed to racetracks. Cincinnati is approximately 80 miles north of Lexington and 100 miles northeast of Louisville, while Turfway Park is about 10 miles outside of Cincinnati over the Kentucky border.
WKRC specifically noted the “timing is no coincidence with the Kentucky Derby coming up on Saturday,” although there is no evidence to support that speculation.
“Kentucky is known as the horse capital of the world,” said Cincinnati Port Director Alrick Brooks to WKRC. “And the equine industry is a prominent part of the U.S. agricultural economy. CBP is committed to protecting this industry and the animals within it by preventing illicit substances such as these–designed to mask pain or artificially enhance an animal's legitimate physical capabilities–from coming into the country.”
In the last four months, CBP agents with the assistance of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have found eight separate packages with bottles given labels like “tiger blood” or with pictures of scorpions and spiders. Among the contents of the bottles were injectable cobra venom, spidermorph, scorpioadrenalin, TB-1000, caffeine, anabolic steroids, Ritalin, ketamine, and unknown vitamin compounds.
The seized shipments were done at the request of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The contents violated several FDA regulations, including the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.
Performance enhancers in racing have been at the forefront of several federal investigations in recent years, leading to prison for prominent trainers Jason Servis and Jorge Navarro, as well as several other indictments.
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