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UPDATE: Steroid, Prescription Drug Ring Bust Nets Corrections Officers

WILKES-BARRE — Thirteen people were arrested Wednesday morning as part of  “Operation Gym Candy” are accused of taking part in two drug rings ...

WILKES-BARRE -- Thirteen people were arrested Wednesday morning as part of  "Operation Gym Candy" are accused of taking part in two drug rings that sold steroids and prescription drugs.

The state attorney general's office says the drug rings involved people from five counties in our area, as well as people who work inside county jails.

Authorities say the two alleged drug rings shipped the illegal pills as far away as Hawaii.

Columbia County probation officer Marc Laubach, Lackawanna County prison guard Nick Balogna and former Montour County corrections officer Richard Piccarreta were hit with drug charges.

Luzerne County Corrections Officers John Taffera and Pete Fisher was also arraigned.

Prosecutors released several photos of evidence collected, including raw materials imported from China so the steroids could be made into pills or cooked down to be injected.

Prosecutors said Brian Laubach was pocketing $16,000 a week for selling steroids online, and they found nearly $500,000 in cash inside his home in Berwick.

Standout football player Brian Clarke, who had a brief stint with the Dallas Cowboys this summer, was also hit with charges.

Paul Dougal,Keith Kilgus, Matt Valanoski, John Koch, Kyle Goyne and Sheree Senausky also surrendered.

Defense attorney Peter Moses says all thirteen people, included his two clients, were released without posting bail.

"Our goal today was to leave the courtroom on unsecured bail," said Moses. "My clients are not required to post any bail. They're not being incarcerated or jailed today."

The director of sports medicine at Geisinger told Newswatch 16 that anabolic steroids can lead to serious consequences.

"Power, increasing strength and muscle mass," said Dr. David Ross. "People are getting wiser at using them, but they do have detrimental effects such as heart problems, liver problems and even long term psychological issues."

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