CEDAR CITY — Police have arrested a man they believe is a drug dealer who sold designer steroids right out of his office at a Cedar City Liberty Lending business.

Police say Mark Sherratt had been ordering steroids in powder form from Hong Kong, then brewing up the performance enhancers in his home laboratory. He allegedly made his deals through e-mails, and the buyer would show up at his Liberty Lending office, 110 N. Main, to pick up the stash.

"He was being quite arrogant about it," said Iron-Garfield Narcotics Task Force agent Brian Bairett. "It's certainly not something we come across very often."

Though unable to give too many specifics until the investigation is complete, he suggested that the openness of the operation led to Sherratt's arrest and subsequent charges — operating a clandestine lab in his home and possessing a controlled substance.

A month ago, the task force received an anonymous tip about Sherratt's entrepreneur business. A week before they'd arrested two men who'd allegedly bought drugs from Sherratt. Their names and descriptions were not released.

After researching the steroids they'd acquired and heard about — Sherratt was allegedly mixing the base drug with Cialis and Viagra to counteract their notoriously debilitating effects — and what charges they could press, law enforcement officers coordinated the arrest.

Last Friday, one team raided Sherratt's home while Bairett and his agents emptied everyone out of the Liberty Lending office before arresting Sherratt.

"He was perfectly cooperative. He understood what was going on," Bairett said. He was booked into Iron County Jail but has since made bail.

Bairett said that they are investigating the customers, who could include local bodybuilders and college athletes.

Sherratt may face more charges, Bairett said. The case may be given to the U.S. Attorney's Office to prosecute on a federal level if the steroids were shipped across state lines.

The Liberty Lending branch did not respond for comment.

e-mail: mmcfall@desnews.com