Canseco Charged With Drug Smuggling

Oct. 14: Former baseball star Jose Canseco is charged with introduction into interstate commerce of a misbranded drug and faces a possible year in prison.


The former baseball star did not address the court during his initial court appearance, which lasted about five minutes. He was charged with introduction into interstate commerce of a misbranded drug, which carries a maximum sentence of one year in prison and a $1,000 fine.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Ruben B. Brooks read the charge, informed Canseco of his rights and scheduled a hearing for Nov. 4.
Canseco was released on his own recognizance and taken to the U.S. Marshal's office for fingerprinting and to have a mugshot taken.
He refused comment when he emerged from the downtown courthouse about 50 minutes later.
Canseco was detained at San Diego's San Ysidro border crossing Thursday after agents searched his vehicle and said they found human chorionic gonadotropin, which is illegal without a prescription, according to his attorney, Gregory Emerson.
The drug is banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency for use in males. The drug helps restore production of testosterone lost in steroid users.
"That's what they say," Emerson said as he walked behind Canseco, who was accompanied by a woman.
Emerson declined to comment further.