PROVIDENCE -- The kingpin of an international steroid distribution company based in China has been indicted here on federal charges of international smuggling of HGH, human growth hormone.

The federal authorities announced today that Lei Jin, chief executive officer and founder of Genescience Pharmaceutical Company and three other men have been charged in the ring that used the Internet and email to ship the muscle enhancement drugs worldwide.

The indictment is part of a nationwide investigation known as Operation Raw Deal that has focused on the smuggling of HGH, anabolic steroids and the illegal distribution of the pharmaceuticals. The probe also has targeted home laboratories where steroids are converted from powder into in to usable forms.

Jin has not been arrested and the authorities believe that he may be living in Shanghai, China. Also charged in the indictment are Jeffrey Rock, of Camarillo, Calif.; Ander Jaa, of Shanghai, China; and David Garcia, who is believed to be in Solvenia.

Federal prosecutors have also filed a separate federal criminal complaint against Thomas Thomsen, of Tampa, Fla., on charges that he allegedly twice sold steroid conversion kits to an unnamed customer in Rhode Island. Investigators said that Rock and Thomsen have been arrested.

Federal indictments and arrests also were announced today and in recent days in San Diego, Pennsylvania, New York and elsewhere.

Robert Clark Corrente, the U.S. Attorney for Rhode Island, said that the authorities have executed 143 search warrants in 27 states and they have arrested 124 distributors of the illegal drugs. He also said that federal agents have shutdown 56 steroid labs and seized $6.5 million.

Corrente said that Rhode Island was responsible for about $4 million and about 100,000 doses of steroids or HGH were seized here, along with ``10 or 11 weapons.’’

So far, no Rhode Islanders have been indicted or arrested in the probe that was launched by the federal Food and Drug Administration two years ago.

Asked whether any Rhode Island residents may face charges, Corrente said: ``It’s possible.’’