Crime Gang Jailed for Peddling £3.7m of Fake and Controlled Drugs Online
Three crooks linked to a ruthless organised crime gang were slammed behind bars at Stoke Crown Court today (March 13) after flogging more than three million doses of prescription-only and dodgy medicines worth a whopping £3.7 million.
Three-Year MHRA Sting Brings Crooks Down
The crackdown came after a dogged three-year probe by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency’s (MHRA) Criminal Enforcement Unit. Between August 2013 and December 2015, Grant Newton (49), Darrell Baggley (56), and Callum Baggley (27) ran a flourishing illegal online drug empire, hawking substances like codeine, Tramadol, Diazepam, Zolpidem, and erectile dysfunction treatments on multiple websites.
In 2015, the MHRA received flood of complaints from concerned members of the public – many never receiving their orders, while others feared loved ones were buying lethal drugs from these shady sites.
Leaders Behind Organised Drug Operation Sentenced
With the police backing them up, the MHRA swooped in 2016, raiding warehouses and siezing digital evidence that confirmed the gang pumped out over 3.2 million doses illegally.
- Grant Newton, dubbed the UK head of this global crime network, got 28 months.
- Warehouse boss Darrell Baggley also received 28 months.
- Callum Baggley, who handled the dirty money as company director, got a suspended 12-month sentence plus 200 hours unpaid work.
Officials Warn Public on Dangers of Illegal Medicines
Andy Morling, MHRA Deputy Director of Criminal Enforcement, said: “Criminals selling medicines illegally don’t just break the law – they put lives at risk. Powerful drugs like these can cause serious harm without proper medical oversight.”
“This operation had global reach but our investigation crushed the UK arm and struck a huge blow to this crime network.
“We’ll keep fighting to protect public health by cracking down on illegal medicine trading and bringing dangerous offenders to justice.”
Ben Reid, Specialist Prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service, added: “This gang recklessly sold controlled and prescription drugs, risking serious side effects to the public. Prescription medicines are strictly regulated for a reason – they must be taken with medical supervision.”
“The CPS is committed to working with MHRA to nail offenders who exploit vulnerable people for profit.”
