Key Summary
- UK Anti-Doping identified a website suspected of selling performance-enhancing steroids and other illegal medicines.
- MHRA investigators traced the activity to a flat located at St Helens Road in Bolton and raided the premises.
- Those sentenced have been identified as Abdul Khan, Saddaym Shahid, Zaheer Mohammed Oomer, Rizwan Atcha, Imtiaz Atcha, Rajendra Patel and Matthew Williams.
Seven men were sentenced after an investigation by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency’s (MHRA) Criminal Enforcement Unit for supplying illegal steroids and prescription-only medicines.
They have been identified as Abdul Khan, Saddaym Shahid, Zaheer Mohammed Oomer, Rizwan Atcha, Imtiaz Atcha, Rajendra Patel and Matthew Williams. The group received combined sentences totalling more than 21 years’ imprisonment.
The investigation began after UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) identified a website suspected of selling performance-enhancing steroids and other illegal medicines.
MHRA investigators traced the activity to a flat located at St Helens Road in Bolton that was being used to store, package, and distribute the drugs.
During enforcement officers seized more than 130,000 doses of steroids and unauthorised medicines that were being sold by mail order.
These included products such as tamoxifen, finasteride and modafinil, and further searches across Bolton led to several arrests.
Following a detailed investigation, several individuals were charged with offences including conspiracy to supply controlled drugs, supplying unauthorised medicines, and money laundering to the value of over £1.8 million.
Zaheer Oomer, who is unemployed, pleaded guilty at an early stage to all charges, including money laundering offences to a value of £99,893.
Rizwan Atcha, a health and safety advisor, Imtiaz Atcha, a former bank manager, and Matthew Williams, a care worker, pleaded guilty at the start of the trial in June 2025.
Each admitted money laundering offences to the value of £772,112, £117,733, and £221,349, respectively.
Abdul Khan, a scrap metal dealer, Saddaym Shahid, a mechanic, and Rajendra Patel, a scrap metal worker, pleaded not guilty and stood trial at Bolton Crown Court.
They faced charges of money laundering involving £139,967, £248,750, and £229,061, respectively.
Following consideration of extensive evidence, the jury found all three men guilty on 7 July 2025.
A Proceeds of Crime Act confiscation investigation is ongoing.
MHRA Head of Intelligence Tim Duffield said, “This was a well-organised operation that put people at real risk. Medicines bought outside regulated channels can be unsafe, ineffective or fake.
“Our investigators worked hard to break up this criminal network and bring those responsible to justice. These convictions are just part of the MHRA’s ongoing work to tackle the illegal trade in medicines and protect public health.”
