Alleged steroid dealer held in custody

Phil Musson. Photo / Supplied

A champion bodybuilder accused of running a nationwide steroid dealing operation has been remanded in custody, after police claimed he was continuing his crimes while on bail.

Phil Musson, 44, denies being a "significant importer, manufacturer and supplier'' of performance- and image-enhancing drugs, including anabolic steroids.

He entered not guilty pleas to 298 charges laid under the Medicines Act 1981 at Christchurch District Court last December.

Musson, of Bishopdale in Christchurch, was remanded on bail while his lawyer prepared to take his case to trial.

But today 48 new charges of steroid dealing were laid by police at court. Two more charges of forging driving licences were also laid.

Crown prosecutor Anselm Williams said Musson had already been warned about offending on bail.

Judge Paul Kellar refused bail and remanded him in custody until next Wednesday.

The personal trainer was named Mr New Zealand Athletic at the 2005 national championships, crowned Mr Christchurch Physique 2009 and competed in last year's National Amateur Bodybuilding Association Asia Pacific Bodybuilding championships.