Richard Thomas and his wife, Sandra, were arrested at their home Tuesday night, in what is being called the biggest steroid bust ever in Florida's Polk County. On a tip from the Philadelphia office of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the couple was charged with "10 counts of possession of anabolic steroids with intention to sell and deliver; one count of possession of a firearm in commission of a felony; 10 counts of importation of anabolic steroids in Florida; and one count of maintaining a residence for selling drugs." In all, detectives seized roughly $200,000 in steroids.

So why is this making news in a sports blog? Because of what Richard Thomas said when arrested: "You name the sport, and I've sold steroids to athletes who play it."

He didn't name any players specifically, but Thomas did make a point to give two of the teams he's sold to: the Washington Nationals and Washington Capitals.

"We asked him, because we knew that would create a firestorm, on two more occasions because we don't want to be quoted as saying that," Judd said. "Richard Thomas told us that he sold steroids to ball players on those teams. Now is that one ball player? Two ball players? We don't know."

While Thomas named the two Washington franchises, he would not name anyone by name.

"I can tell you this," Sheriff Grady Judd told WFLA.com, "there will be a whole lot of people puckered up after the morning news."

While baseball obviously has had its problems with steroid use recently (though, should the Nationals consider asking for their money back?), hockey has long claimed to have never been swept up in steroid use.

Clearly, this has the potential of bombshell news, but it should still be received cautiously (which is exactly how detectives are treating Thomas' claims). While he clearly is a big-time steroid dealer, importing drugs from all over the world -- namely Iran, Pakistan, Slovakia, Russia, China, Germany, Turkey, Spain and Mexico -- there isn't any proof of him dealing directly to professional athletes. At least not yet.

Authorities trumpet massive steroids bust in Polk - WFLA
2 Arrested in County's Largest Steroids Bust - The Ledger
Caps, Nats Linked to Alleged Steroids Dealers? - NBC Washington
Report: Steroid dealer boasts of sales to Washington Capitals - Puck Daddy
News Channel 8 photo

Thanks to Ric for the heads-up