Essex (UK) Fake Online Pharmacy Money Man Sentenced in Counterfeit Drug Scheme

MHRA(UK) investigation leads to seizure of 26,000 unapproved prescription pills & steroids, and prosecution of 4 fake online pharmacy operators.

Canvey Island resident Gary Bracci pled guilty to money laundering charges, processing over ₤400,000 in payments for a fake online pharmacy operation. He has been sentenced to 12 months suspended, along with 300 hours of court-mandated unpaid work, and a ₤10,000 fine, announced the MHRA.

MHRA(UK) investigation leads to seizure of 26,000 unapproved prescription pills & steroids, and prosecution of 4 fake online pharmacy operators.

Canvey Island resident Gary Bracci pled guilty to money laundering charges, processing over ₤400,000 in payments for a fake online pharmacy operation. He has been sentenced to 12 months suspended, along with 300 hours of court-mandated unpaid work, and a ₤10,000 fine, announced the MHRA.

The Medicines Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (UK) began their investigation into the websites www.supplements-online.net and anabolic-steroids-online.com, in March 2011, from which more than 26,000 tablets of prescription only medicine, anabolic steroids and human growth hormone were seized.

MHRA investigators also found laboratory equipment meant for the manufacture of anabolic steroids. These unapproved steroids were labelled “Medipharma.” Tests by the MHRA found they contained only minute or variable quantities of the steroid.

Bracci is the 4th person sentenced in this fake online pharmacy operation. Previously Nicholas Boys was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment, and Eric Rudanec and Mark Rosson were both sentenced to 6 months suspended, along with 150 hours of court-mandated unpaid work.

Said Nimo Ahmed, MHRA Acting Head of Enforcement,“The MHRA is committed to pursuing those involved in the illicit supply of medicines and taking action to ensure that public health is protected.”

The MHRA is the UK-based government agency charged with prescription medication regulation. Previously, in the course of investigations in the UK, the MHRA uncovered the counterfeit cancer drugs that made their way into US doctors’ offices in the United States, and are assisting the US FDA with their continuing investigation of that case.

By S. Imber