Steroid dealer Syed Nadeem Shaw believed drugs were only way to become body builder

A 61-year-old aspiring body builder busted with more than a kilogram of steroids has been jailed after pleading guilty to trafficking.

The aspiring bodybuilder thought steroids were necessary to achieve his gym goals. File picture

An aspiring body builder busted with more than a kilogram of steroids thought his body goals simply were not possible without illegal enhancements, a court heard.

Syed Nadeem Shaw, 61, imported steroids for 22 months between 2020 and 2022, including quantities of testosterone and nandrolone.

He was attracted to the idea of using steroids after becoming increasingly interested in body building through magazines and “learnt it isn’t possible without steroids,” Brisbane’s Supreme Court heard on Friday.

Shaw began importing steroids to his home address in 2020, and would sell them a few times a month.

From February until May 2022, his business increased, leading to him selling steroids every few days to friends, and giving advice on how to inject the drugs to maximise growth, the court heard.

Judge Glenn Martin said Shaw established a website called ‘allroids.com’ and an account called Steroids Australia, and used a business card to advertise.

“You had the drugs delivered from overseas to your home address using the name David Shaw,” he said.

“It is through that that your conduct was discovered.”

Police later searched the man’s home and found 1.4kg of illegal substances, including 80 vials of liquid growth hormones.

In an initial interview with police during the search, Shaw admitted the drugs were for personal use, but denied selling any.

He pleaded guilty to three counts, including trafficking in dangerous drugs, possession of dangerous drugs, and possession of dangerous drugs exceeding 50 grams.

Justice Martin said the man held a “misguided view” of steroids, and had likely become “desensitised” through heavy use.

“The trafficking though was for a substantial period of time and it involved towards the end an extensive and intensive sale of steroids,” he said.

Shaw wiped tears from his eyes as he was sentenced to four years six months in prison, suspended after 10 months.

Justice Martin said he took into account Shaw’s medical conditions, family impacts, age, no criminal history and abstinence from alcohol and other drugs.

“You have good rehabilitation prospects,” he said.

“A head sentence should reflect the seriousness of the charge and the dangerousness of the drugs that you were distributing.”

Originally published as Steroid dealer Syed Nadeem Shaw believed drugs were only way to become body builder