Key Summary
- Four members of an organised criminal group have been sentenced.
- The group was dismantled by MHRA’s unit.
- Investigators linked the group to almost two million doses of medicinal products.
Four people have been sentenced to nearly 15 years in prison combined after an investigation by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) uncovered an organised criminal network that sold illegal medicines online across the UK.
Operation Lamborghini, was led by MHRA’s Criminal Enforcement Unit and linked the group to almost two million doses of medicinal products sold without the oversight of a healthcare professional.
Seized items included a range of prescription-only medicines and unauthorised formulations, such as benzodiazepines (diazepam, clonazepam, lorazepam, alprazolam), opioid-containing products such as codeine, and sedative-hypnotics (zolpidem and zopiclone).
Investigators found the medicines were supplied without appropriate clinical assessment or safeguards, putting patients at serious risk.
The four defendants received sentences between 33 months and 5 years.
The case was prosecuted by the Crown Prosecution Service’s Serious Economic, Organised and International Directorate (SEOCID).
MHRA chief safety officer Dr Alison Cave said: “Today’s sentencing reflects the seriousness of these offences and the significant threat to public safety.
“This was a sophisticated and highly profitable criminal scheme that showed a complete disregard for patient safety. Prescription only medicines should only be obtained with a prescription issued by a qualified healthcare professional and dispensed by a registered pharmacy.
“Criminals who sell medicines illegally put the public at risk and undermine confidence in the healthcare system.
“I’m incredibly proud of the hard work of my colleagues and their determination to bring these criminals to justice. We will continue to identify, disrupt and prosecute those involved in the illegal supply of medicines and will use every tool available to protect the public.”
Gayle Ramsay of the Crown Prosecution Service said: “These four defendants showed absolute disregard for the health consequences of selling unauthorised medicines and prescription only drugs without the proper professional medical consultation and authorisation to do so.
