Trio jailed for selling millions of doses of prescription medicines illegally online
A fourth person from the group, all from Wolverhampton and Willenhall, was handed a suspended sentence
A group of people from Wolverhampton and Willenhall have been sentenced for illegally selling prescription medicines online across the UK.
An investigation by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency's (MHRA) Criminal Enforcement Unit found almost two million doses of medications linked to the criminal group.
These included sleeping tablets, painkillers and medication to alleviate anxiety and erectile dysfunction, as well as Class B (Codeine) and Class C (including Alprazolam, Pregablin, Diazepam, and Zolpidem) drugs.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said further evidence from one man - Everton Reynolds’ -mobile phone and laptop showed sales information to the value of almost 9.5 million doses of medical products.
Reynolds, along with Paul Billingham and Junior Ranger, was found guilty of conspiracy to supply controlled drugs (Class B and C), and conspiracies to supply unauthorised medicines, in November.
Anita Rama had pleaded guilty to all the charges at an earlier hearing.
Yesterday (July 8) Reynolds, of Milford Avenue, Willenhall, was jailed for five years and Billingham, of Sandringham Avenue, Willenhall, was jailed for four years.
Rama, of East Avenue, Wolverhampton, was jailed for 33 months and Ranger, of Cartwright Street, Wolverhampton was handed a two year suspended sentence.
Andy Morling, Head of the Criminal Enforcement Unit (CEU) at the MHRA, said: “This conviction sends a clear message that the trafficking of medicines is a serious criminal offence that will be met with a robust and coordinated response by the MHRA.
"The individuals involved showed a blatant disregard for public safety, placing people at real risk for their own financial gain.
"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.”
The case was prosecuted by the CPS Serious Economic Organised and International Directorate (SEOCID).
The court heard that the defendants prioritised profit over patient safety and exposed members of the public to potentially serious health risks.
The medicines were supplied without appropriate clinical oversight or safeguards to protect patients.
Gayle Ramsay, Specialist Prosecutor for the CPS, said: “These 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.
“They would have no understanding as to the safety of these medicines and the impact of using them for potential buyers. The sale of any form of illegal drugs can cause devastating consequences for the public and local communities.”