Two British Residents Sentenced for Fake Medicine Crime

Two British residents were sentenced for selling counterfeit medication, as well as Class C drugs and unlicensed medications.

The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) of Great Britain announced the sentencing of two counterfeit drug salesman apprehended in Britain as the result of a successful sting operation of their online medicine website.

Between May 2009 and June 2010, MHRA intelligence officers made purchases of medicines from the website owned and operated by Aziz Ahmed, 48, of Beaver Lane, Hounslo and Benjamin Newsome, 37, of May Avenue, Doncaster. The medicines received included counterfeit erectile dysfunction medications and an assortment of controlled substances.

The purchases then prompted MHRA agents to raid their warehouse, and collected almost 100,000 tablets which had been sourced through international suppliers in Pakistan, reports MHRA.

Ahmed was sentenced to 18 months for conspiracy to supply counterfeit medicines, and an additional nine months for possession of class C drugs with intent to supply.

Newsom received six months for conspiring to supply counterfeit medicines, and one month for possession of a class B drug and conspiring to supply unlicensed medication.

Warned MHRA Head of Enforcement, Nimo Ahmed, “The danger of purchasing medicines online is that you just don’t know what you are taking. Those involved in these types of dealings do not care about your health. They are only in it for one reason, and that is to make money.

By S. Imber