Press release: London duo sentenced for trafficking counterfeit medicines and dealing in controlled drugs worth just under half a million pounds

Press release

Date:	09 Jul 2008
Time:	12:00
Subject:	Court case involving counterfeit medicines and Class C drugs
Contact:	Press Office 020 7084 3535/3564 or press.office@mhra.gsi.gov.uk Out-of-hours 07770 446 189

Two men from London were sentenced yesterday (08 July 2008) at Kingston Crown Court for the illegal sale and supply of Class C drugs and counterfeit medicines. The sentencing followed an investigation by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).

Mr Shabbir Hussain (55) of 94 Dollis Hill Lane, Cricklewood, London, NW2 6JD was sentenced to four years imprisonment. Mr Mohammed Yasser Zaidi (26) of 19 Budding Circle, Wembley Place, London was sentenced to 51 weeks imprisonment, suspended for two years, and to 150 hours community service. They were found guilty on 04 June 2008. Mr Hussain was convicted of 12 offences and Mr Zaidi was convicted of 8 offences under Section 92 of the Trades Mark Act 1994.

The case started in June 2006. Mr Hussain ran a business called AST International, buying and selling medicines. Mr Zaidi worked for Mr Hussain. On 13 June 2006, MHRA investigators searched Mr Hussain’s address in Dollis Hill Lane and inspected a large brick shed used as an office and storehouse at the bottom of his garden. It was in the shed that a large quantity of prescription-only medicines was found. These were Xenical, Reductil, Propecia, Plavix, Levitra, Viagra and Cialis. Class C drugs were also found namely Diazepam (Valium), Phentermine and five different types of steroids. These were Decca Durabolin, Oxabolone, Sustanon, Anabol and Nandrolene Decananoate. Neither Mr Hussain, Mr Zaidi nor AST International has been issued with licences by the Home Office to deal in Class C Drugs in accordance with the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. Samples of the prescription-only medicines were analysed and found to be counterfeit. These fake medicines and Class C drugs were smuggled into the UK. A network of addresses in the Wembley area was used to receive parcels. Fictitious consignee names were given to delivery companies. The parcels were mis-described as ‘samples of food supplements’ so as not to alert Customs authorities here and abroad.

Mick Deats, Group Manager of Enforcement at the MHRA said, “Counterfeit medicines are dangerous, these medicines would have found their way into high street pharmacies and onto the internet. Counterfeit medicines contain impurities, wrong ingredients and are not manufactured to the exacting standards required to safeguard public health. This is the latest in a series of successful prosecutions which should serve as a clear message to those contemplating involvement in this serious criminal activity that the MHRA is determined to take the strongest possible action against any person involved in the sale and supply of counterfeit medicines”.

Notes to Editor

1. Xenical and Reductil are used to treat obesity. Propecia is used to treat hair loss. Plavix is used to treat heart attacks and strokes. Levitra, Viagra and Cialis are used to treat erectile dysfunction.
2. If an individual is convicted of offences under the Medicines Act 1968, they can be sentenced to a maximum of two years imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine. Where appropriate the MHRA will use the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 to determine whether or not benefits were accrued through criminal activity and will recoup illicit earnings if the individual is found guilty. If an individual is convicted of offences under the Trade Marks Act 1994, they can be sentenced to a maximum of 10 years imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine.
3. To report suspected counterfeit medicines, you can:
   E-mail: counterfeit@mhra.gsi.gov.uk
   Website: www.mhra.gov.uk
   Telephone: +44 (0)20 7084 2701
4. The MHRA is the government agency responsible for ensuring that medicines and medical devices work, and are acceptably safe. No product is risk-free. Underpinning all our work lie robust and fact-based judgements to ensure that the benefits to patients and the public justify the risks. We keep watch over medicines and devices, and take any necessary action to protect the public promptly if there is a problem. We encourage everyone –the public and healthcare professionals as well as the industry – to tell us about any problems with a medicine or medical device, so that we can investigate and take any necessary action. www.mhra.gov.uk