Police made 12 arrests this morning as part of a major investigation into organised trafficking of unlicensed medicines.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) said the operation – nicknamed Operation Subaru – was 'the largest criminal investigation into organised medicines trafficking' in the organisation's 22-year history.
'The individuals have been arrested on suspicion of participating in the activities of an organised crime group, conspiracy to sell or supply controlled drugs and unlicensed medicines, and money laundering. Suspects are being held for questioning at police stations across the two regions,' the MHRA said.
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Around 150 officers were deployed in dawn raids of 22 residential and commercial premises across the West Midlands and the North West of England this morning. MHRA confirmed to The Pharmacist that no pharmacies were involved.
They found 'hundreds of thousands of doses of medicines' including 'controlled drugs such as opioid painkillers and anti-anxiety medicines'.
The medicines have been seized as well as '£100,000 in cash, luxury watches and suspected criminal assets held in cryptocurrency'.
And the MHRA has 'also obtained restraint orders for more than £3.5 million in assets suspected to be linked to criminal activity', it said.
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Speaking after the operation today, Andy Morling, head of the MHRA’s Criminal Enforcement Unit, warned the public to be 'extremely cautious when buying medicines online'.
'Medicines should only be obtained from a registered pharmacy against a prescription issued by a healthcare professional. Taking medicines sourced in any other way carries serious risks to your health – there are no guarantees about what they contain, and some may even be contaminated with toxic substances,' he said.
He added: 'Today’s search and arrest operation follows a long, complex and thorough investigation by the MHRA’s Criminal Enforcement Unit.
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'Operation Subaru is the largest investigation we’ve ever undertaken and demonstrates the MHRA’s commitment to protecting the public by dismantling the organised international criminal networks that cause so much harm.
'Trafficking in medicines destroys lives and places a huge financial burden on wider society. Our dedicated team will stop at nothing to tackle this illegal trade by taking potentially harmful medicines off the street and bringing those responsible to justice. As today’s operation shows, there is nowhere to hide.'
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