The MHRA's Criminal Enforcement Unit (CEU) has unearthed a multimillion-pound criminal network supplying controlled drugs and unauthorised medicines online.
The investigation, Operation Lamborghini, led to the conviction of three individuals for their roles in an organised criminal group responsible for the large-scale unlawful supply of unauthorised medicinal products online.
One individual was found not guilty, and the fifth pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing.
Everton Reynolds, Paul Billingham, and Junior Ranger, were convicted on Tuesday (25) following a six-week trial at Wolverhampton Crown Court.
Anita Rama had pleaded guilty to all the charges at an earlier hearing.
The case was prosecuted by the CPS Serious Economic Organised and International Directorate (SEOCID).
Sentencing will take place at a later date.
The culprits were operating a series of websites to supply unlicensed medicines illegally.
The investigation identified almost two million doses of medicinal controlled drugs and other medicines linked to the criminal group.
These included benzodiazepines (such as Diazepam, Clonazepam, Lorazepam and Alprazolam), Zolpidem, Zopiclone and the Class B drug Codeine, alongside unauthorised versions of medicines including Sildenafil. Prescription-only medicines Zapain and Modafinil were also supplied unlawfully.
CEU head, Andy Morling, said, "I am immensely proud of the work of my Criminal Enforcement Unit colleagues, whose professionalism and persistence brought this organised criminal group to justice. We will continue to pursue those who threaten the public with dangerous and unlicensed medicines, wherever they operate.”
