LONDON, April 29 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news:
Sevenmen have been sentencedafteran investigation by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency's (MHRA) Criminal Enforcement Unitinto a large-scale criminal network supplying illegal steroids and prescription-only medicines. The group received combined sentences totalling more than 21 years' imprisonment.
Theinvestigationbegan afterUK Anti-Doping (UKAD) identified website linked tothe Bolton areathat were suspected of selling performance-enhancingsteroids andotherillegalmedicines.
MHRA investigatorstracedtheactivitytoa flat above commercial premises on St Helens Road, which was being usedto store, package,and distributethedrugs.
During enforcement action, officers seized more than 130,000 doses of steroids and unauthorised medicinesthat werebeing soldby mail order. These includedproducts such astamoxifen, finasteride and modafinil,highlightingthe scale and complexity of the illegal supply network.FurthersearchesacrossBoltonled toa number ofarrests.
Followinga detailed investigation, severalindividuals were charged with offences including conspiracy to supply controlled drugs, supplyingunauthorised medicines, and money laundering to the value of over £1.8million.
Tim Duffield, MHRA Head of Intelligencesaid:
"This was a well-organised operation that put people at real risk. Medicines bought outside regulated channels can be unsafe,ineffectiveor fake.
"Our investigators worked hard to break up thiscriminalnetwork and bring those responsible to justice. These convictions are just part ofthe MHRA'songoing work to tackle the illegal trade in medicines and protect public health."
Mario Theophanous, UKAD's Head of Intelligence and Investigations, said:
"Disrupting the supply of illegal performance-enhancing drugs is central to protecting sport. Our intelligence officers work in partnership with regulators and law enforcement, toidentifyand dismantle the criminal networks that make these substances available. That collaboration is a vital part of how we keep prohibited substances out of sport, and away from elite athletes and young people."
Zaheer Oomer,who isunemployed, pleaded guiltyat an early stageto all charges, including money laundering offences to a value of £99,893.
RizwanAtcha, a health and safety advisor, ImtiazAtcha, a former bank manager, and Matthew Williams, a care worker, also pleaded guilty at the start of the trial in June 2025. Each admittedmoney laundering offences to the value of £772,112, £117,733 and £221,349 respectively.
Abdul Khan, a scrap metal dealer,SaddymShahid, a mechanic, and Rajendra Patel, a scrap metal worker, pleaded not guilty and stood trial at Bolton Crown Court. They facedcharges ofmoney laundering involving £139,967, $248,750 and £229,061 respectively. Following consideration of extensive evidence, the juryfound all three menguilty on 7 July 2025.
A Proceeds of Crime Act confiscation investigation is ongoing.
The MHRA remindsthe publicto only obtain medicines from trusted and regulated sources, such as registered pharmacies. Anyone who suspects they have been sold illegal or unsafe medicines, orisexperiencingside effects,should seek medicaladvice and report any concernstotheMHRA'sYellow Card scheme.
Convictions
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Abdul Khan andSaddaymShahid - Conspiracy to supply class C drugs 4 years imprisonment. Conspiracy to supply unauthorised medicinal products 18 months imprisonment concurrent. Money laundering 3 years imprisonmentconsecutive. Total 7 years imprisonment.
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Mohammed Oomer - Conspiracy to supply class C drugs 35 months imprisonment. Conspiracy to supply unauthorised medicinal products 18 months imprisonment concurrent. Money laundering 20 months imprisonmentconsecutive. Total 4 years 7 months.
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RizwanAtcha- 4 counts of money laundering. 37 months imprisonment concurrent on each count. Total 3 years and 1 month imprisonment.
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ImtiazAtcha- 4 counts of money laundering. 18 months imprisonment suspended for 2 years. Electronicallymonitoredcurfew from 9pm to 7pm for four months. To do 250 hours of unpaid work.
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Rajendra Patel - 2 counts of money laundering. 24 months imprisonment suspended for 2 years. Electronicallymonitoredcurfew from 9pm to 7pm for four months. To do 250 hours of unpaid work.
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Matthew Williams - 4 counts of money laundering. 24 months imprisonment suspended for 2 years. Electronicallymonitoredcurfew from 9pm to 7pm for four months. To do 250 hours of unpaid work.
Notes to Editors
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The Criminal Enforcement Unit is a dedicated law enforcement capability within the MHRA. The unit collects and analyses criminal intelligence toidentifyillegal activity involving medical products and investigates cases to prevent and disrupt offending and bring offenders to justice.
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The MHRA's #FakeMedscampaign provides advice to people in the UK who are considering buying medication online, outlining how products can be accessed from safe and legitimate sources.
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The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA)is responsible forregulating all medicines and medical devices in the UK by ensuring they work and are acceptably safe. All our work is underpinned by robust and fact-based judgements to ensure that the benefits justify any risks.
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The MHRA is an executive agency of the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC).
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For media enquiries, please contact newscentre@mhra.gov.uk, or call 020 3080 7651.
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For more information about UKAnti-Doping, see theUKAD website.
Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.
