MURFREESBORO, Tenn. -
Authorities in Rutherford County arrested a man Thursday for his involvement in a major international drug smuggling operation involving steroids.
Leslie Parker Jr., was arrested following a long term investigation revealed he was receiving and distributing a large amount of steroids.
Investigators believe the illegal drugs were being shipped from China to JFK International Airport and mailed to Parker locally.
"This was an international drug smuggling operation that was filtered through Murfreesboro," Murfreesboro police spokesperson Kyle Evans told Nashville's News 2.
Parker is said to have used the U.S. Postal Service to distribute the drugs to mid-level dealers locally and throughout the country to then be sold to individual users.
"He would then distribute those drugs both locally here in Middle Tennessee and also send it to dealers throughout the United States," Evans continued.
Parker is charged with possession and distribution of a Schedule III drug and possession of drug paraphernalia.
During the investigation, police seized more than $500,000 worth of drugs, including injectables, pills and patches from a storage unit located on South Church Street and from his Old Fort Parkway hotel room where he was said to be living.
Authorities said the investigation is ongoing and more arrests are possible.
"This arrest just scratches the surface of the overall investigation," Evans said.
It was not immediately known who was purchasing the drugs.
Nashville's News 2 reached out to Parker on Thursday afternoon regarding his arrest. He declined to comment.
Police said Parker's arrest represents one of the largest steroid confiscations in the department's history.
